Charles receives Von der Leyen at Windsor Castle

Britain's King Charles III on Monday welcomed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at Windsor Castle. The meeting came after Von der Leyen and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak sealed a deal to resolve the post-Brexit trade dispute over Northern Ireland.

Buckingham Palace said the meeting was taking place on the government’s advice.The monarch is supposed to remain neutral and critics have accused Sunak of dragging him into a political row.The prime minister's spokesperson, however, said the government “would never” embroil the king in politics.