King Charles has been praised for his “visionary leadership” on climate issues by an international diplomat.
Elin Suleymanov, Azerbaijan’s ambassador to the UK, attended a reception at St James’s Palace earlier this week, where the King hosted an event focused on tackling super pollutants as part of London Climate Action Week.
The reception, held in the Throne Room and organised by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, also drew strong praise from COP29 president Mukhtar Babayev, who described the monarch as a “global inspiration”.
While Suleymanov avoided calling it a personal friendship, he spoke warmly about the King’s environmental work, saying his focus on climate change is “very inspirational” and that he has a strong ability to bring people together.
Speaking to GB News, he added that the King’s commitment to environmental issues was highly admirable and that he should be recognised for “visionary leadership”.
Around 250 guests attended the event, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, and Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley.
Guterres’ presence, Suleymanov said, sent a clear message that climate change remains a major global challenge that cannot be ignored.
The ambassador was in the UK earlier this month for the King’s Official Birthday celebrations, which he called a “great reminder of British culture”. He also highlighted the long-term nature of UK–Azerbaijan relations, saying they go beyond day-to-day politics and focus on lasting partnership.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev also sent congratulations to the monarch, stressing the importance of continued friendship and mutual respect between the two countries.
King Charles has spent decades championing environmental causes. In one of his earliest public speeches in 1970, then-Prince of Wales warned about pollution in rivers and seas, describing the damage caused by chemicals and industrial waste.
He also launched the Prince of Wales Countryside Award to recognise efforts improving the natural environment in Wales.
More than 50 years later, officials say his focus on environmental issues has remained consistent since becoming King.
Suleymanov said the monarch continues to draw attention to issues like methane emissions and super pollution, bringing leaders together around climate action.
During the event, a senior aide was seen fanning the King as London faced extreme heat, with temperatures reaching 37.3C during a major heatwave across Europe.
Germany also recorded a national high of 41.3C, while officials across the continent cancelled public events due to health risks.
The World Meteorological Organisation warned of serious impacts ahead, with spokesperson Clare Nullis saying societies will have to adapt to increasingly extreme heat.
Suleymanov said the image of the King in the heat carried a symbolic message.
“If anyone needed a reminder, it’s that the message has been delivered clearly,” he said, adding that even the moment reflected the reality of climate change.
