A new book has revealed tensions between Boris Johnson and King Charles, then the Prince of Wales, over issues related to slavery and colonialism. According to journalist Tim Shipman in his account of Brexit titled Out, Johnson believed Charles had succumbed to “woke ideology” following the royal’s remarks about acknowledging the “evils” of colonialism.
The conflict reportedly began when Charles criticized the UK government’s policy to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda, calling it “appalling.” Shipman’s book details that Charles feared the policy could strain relationships at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kigali, Rwanda. Johnson allegedly confronted Charles privately during the summit, accusing him of undermining the government’s stance. According to the book, Johnson asked, “Did you actually criticize government policy?” Charles is said to have replied, “Well maybe, inadvertently, without intention I may have said something.”
