A heated dispute has erupted within the realm of King Charles, as a reliable source vehemently denies allegations that his aides used their influence to shield him from potential legal prosecution.
The atmosphere is tense as a royal insider refutes a report suggesting that a courtier from Buckingham Palace lobbied the Welsh Government to grant King Charles immunity from criminal liability under a recently enacted law.
Amidst the escalating conflict, an individual closely acquainted with the situation has disclosed to GB News that the Welsh Government faced no objections, contrary to claims made by The Guardian that a courtier had sought assurances regarding the monarch’s protection during the formulation of the Agriculture, Wales Act last year.
Instead, it appears that the Buckingham Palace official was merely ensuring that proper protocols were being followed and that correct procedures were being adhered to.
This clash between power and tradition is rooted in a long-standing parliamentary mechanism that has endured for centuries.
According to this mechanism, ministers are required to present draft legislation to the reigning monarch, allowing royal legal advisors to assess its potential impact on the monarch’s personal interests, private property, and public responsibilities.
The Guardian’s criticism of this mechanism as outdated has prompted a response from a Welsh spokesperson defending the monarchy, asserting that immunity for the monarch from prosecution is a well-established principle.
In an effort to clarify the situation, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson issued a detailed statement explaining that, based on existing Welsh law, particularly Section 28.3 of the Legislation, Wales Act 2019, it is legally impossible for Welsh subordinate legislation to subject the sovereign to criminal liability.
Despite allegations by The Guardian of a courtier seeking assurances that King Charles would be shielded from prosecution under the Agriculture, Wales Act, the Welsh Government did not raise any objections.
The role of the Buckingham Palace official was simply to ensure that correct procedures were being followed.
In the midst of this turmoil, Republic, an organization advocating for the abolition of the monarchy, is considering legal action following claims by the newspaper that a courtier lobbied the Welsh Government to exempt themselves from environmental legislation last year.
The Welsh Government did not express any objections, neither formally nor informally, throughout the entire process, with approval granted in the usual manner, including receiving royal assent.
The granting of King’s consent is a standard parliamentary procedure, and according to the Guardian, His Majesty has given consent whenever requested by the Government.
The Agriculture, Wales Act passed last year includes provisions exempting King Charles III from certain regulations related to agricultural product marketing, carcass disposal, and information disclosure to the Welsh state.
During an interview with GB News, Liz Saville Roberts MP of Plaid Cymru voiced concerns over reports indicating that royal courtiers exerted pressure on the Welsh Government to ensure King Charles would be immune from prosecution for oral offenses under the new law, stating that such outdated practices have no place in modern Welsh democracy.
Before ascending to the throne in 2022, Queen Elizabeth II reportedly reviewed over 1,000 bills during her 70-year reign, one of which could have impacted her private properties at Balmoral and Sandringham.
Currently, King Charles is on a break from public duties as he undergoes cancer treatment after being diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in February.
He has made only one public appearance at a major event since then and is currently spending time with Queen Camilla at Bourke Hall in Scotland, following their 19th wedding anniversary on April 9.