By Joke Kujenya
BUCKINGHAM PALACE has reintroduced a long-abandoned tradition, as King Charles III met with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch for a formal one-on-one audience.
The meeting, held in the palace’s 1844 Room, marks the first time in 19 years that a British opposition leader has been granted such an audience with the monarch.
Royal aides confirmed that King Charles revived the tradition to emphasise the importance of parliamentary scrutiny.
A senior official stated, “This will now happen whenever a new leader of the opposition is appointed, ensuring the continuity of democratic engagement.”
Badenoch, who took over as Conservative leader following the party’s general election defeat, has previously met the King in her roles as trade secretary and privy councillor.
However, this private audience cements her status as the first opposition leader since David Cameron in 2006 to receive such a royal meeting.
The tradition reportedly lapsed under Queen Elizabeth II, with no official explanation given.
During his leadership, Jeremy Corbyn never had a formal audience with the late Queen.
In 2019, she also refused an urgent meeting requested by Corbyn and Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson over Boris Johnson’s controversial move to prorogue Parliament.
This latest development is described as the King’s renewed engagement with opposition leaders and the evolving role of the monarchy in modern British politics.
