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Why was EU chief due to meet King Charles?

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There’s been a sense of deja vu in Westminster in recent days, with a Tory leader under pressure on Europe from the right of his party. As Rishi Sunak tries to finalise a new deal on the Northern Ireland protocol, Tory Brexiteers have been questioning the wisdom of the Prime Minister’s strategy. But now there is a brand new element: the royals.

After excited chatter earlier that Sunak could unveil his deal tomorrow that no longer appears to be the case. Reports have emerged from Sky and the Times tonight that the government was planning to have the King host Ursula von der Leyen at Windsor before Sunak unveiled his changes to the Protocol. According to the Times, the president of the European Commission was due to travel to Britain on Saturday to announce the deal with Sunak and separately Charles III at Windsor. Senior officials in Whitehall even reportedly discussed calling the deal the ‘Windsor Agreement.’

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Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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