King Charles Mutters 'Dear, Oh Dear' at First Weekly Audience with Prime Minister Liz Truss
King Charles III's meeting with the prime minister had an awkward start.
On Wednesday, the new King, 73, welcomed Prime Minister Liz Truss for the first of their regular weekly audiences at Buckingham Palace, as seen in a video shared on Twitter by ITV's Lizzie Robinson.
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Escorted to the meeting room, the prime minister curtsied before shaking hands with the monarch, addressing him as "Your Majesty."
"Back again," Charles noted, to which the Conservative Party leader replied: "Well, it's a great pleasure."
"Dear oh dear," the King said, looking down. "Anyway," he continued, pivoting the conversation.
RELATED: King Charles Displays Photo from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Wedding at Palace Meeting
NEW: The King held his first weekly audience with the Prime Minister @trussliz at Buckingham Palace this evening pic.twitter.com/1nmTBAzlLJ
— Lizzie Robinson (@LizzieITV) October 12, 2022
Like Queen Elizabeth and other monarchs before him, King Charles will hold private audiences with the prime minister each week to discuss government matters. According to the British royal family's website, which has not been entirely updated since Queen Elizabeth's death on Sept. 8, "Though The Queen remains politically neutral on all matters, she is able to 'advise and warn' her ministers — including her Prime Minister — when necessary."
King Charles' eldest son Prince William already is proving to be a calming influence behind the scenes. When the new King showed an impatient side by pushing aside a pen tray and glaring at an aide in his televised accession ceremony, he continued to vent his irritation behind the scenes. It was William who helped soothe his father, "defusing the situation," a royal insider tells PEOPLE in this week's cover story.
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As plans begin to form for Charles's May 6 coronation, which is expected to be scaled down in comparison with Queen Elizabeth's grand ceremony in 1953, a source who knows both father and son says they are tighter than ever.
"Talking about the future of the country and their future roles has strengthened their bond," they explain.
What's more, the tensions over Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to move to California after stepping back as senior members of the royal family in 2020 has "brought [William and Charles] closer," says the source.
Chris Jackson/Getty Queen Camilla, King Charles, Prince William and Kate Middleton
RELATED: King Charles Tells Prime Minister Liz Truss That Queen's Death Is 'Moment I've Been Dreading'
Despite the physical distance, Charles' sweet gesture to keep the Duke and Duchess of Sussex close was revealed during his meeting with the prime minister Wednesday.
As seen in Robinson's Twitter clip, a photo from Harry and Meghan's royal wedding in 2018 is displayed in the room of Buckingham Palace where the King and Truss were meeting.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have released three official photographs from their Wedding day.
These photographs were taken by photographer Alexi Lubomirski at Windsor Castle, following the carriage procession. #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/WBim9EkI4D— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) May 21, 2018
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Taken by photographer Alexi Lubomirski at Windsor Castle following their wedding ceremony at St. George's Chapel, the snap shows Prince Harry, 28, and Meghan, 41, surrounded by members of their young bridal party. Queen Elizabeth is seated beside the bride and groom next to Prince Philip, as King Charles and Queen Camilla stand behind the late royal couple.
Beside Meghan is her mother, Doria Ragland. Kate Middleton sits with Princess Charlotte on her lap, while Prince William smiles behind them.
