Prince Charles fears Rwanda visit will be ‘awkward’ after ‘slammed’ migrant policy

The Prince of Wales will represent the Queen during a Commonwealth meeting in Kigali but sources say he is concerned his message will be drowned out after reports he called Priti Patel’s policies “appalling”.

Prince Charles reportedly fears his criticism of Priti Patel’s migration policies will drown out his Commonwealth message during a trip to Rwanda.

The Prince of Wales will represent the Queen when Prime Ministers meet in Kigali next week for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.

It’s the first such meeting he’s attended since he was named the association’s next chairman in 2018, and the first time a king has toured the country.

However, sources say Charles is concerned that his comments on the UK government’s Rwanda policy, which he reportedly described as “appalling”, could overshadow the trip.

The asylum plan for Rwanda, outlined by Home Secretary Priti Patel in April, would see some asylum-seekers crossing the English Channel transferred to the UK to seek asylum in Rwanda instead.

Amid the row over politics, a source told the Telegraph it was “quite uncomfortable” for Charles, 73, to travel to Rwanda for the meeting.

The Prince of Wales is understood not yet to have ruled out referring to the plan during his visit, while Clarence House is aware he could be questioned about the policy at bilateral meetings.

While he is said to be “keen” to focus on the challenges facing the 54 Commonwealth nations, a separate source told the newspaper it was a struggle to get the message through “at the best of times”.

As well as the talks, Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall – who will be accompanying him on the trip – will be attending a range of hook-ups, including a fashion show.

The visit follows reports that tensions are rising between the heir to the throne and Boris Johnson after his comments on the deportation plan.

They are due to be reunited this week as the PM will also attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.

A source told the Times last week that Charles had said “he was beyond disappointed with the policy” and that he “found the government’s entire approach appalling”.

It also comes amid claims that Charles’ relationship with his son William has fallen apart again.

According to insiders, the couple had “explosive arguments” as the Prince of Wales felt he was being “airbrushed” from the life of the Cambridge family.

The Prince of Wales reportedly felt “cheated” when Wills became very close to the Middleton family, who sources described as his “surrogate family”.