Royal Family cancels string of engagements – Buckingham Palace assertion in full

The Royal Family is to postpone engagements which may appear to divert attention or distract from the election campaign, Buckingham Palace has announced.

Rishi Sunak this afternoon announced Brits will go to the polls to decide the country’s next government on July 4, ending months of uncertainty. Earlier today the Prime Minister met with the monarch at Buckingham Palace to request the dissolution of Parliament, setting in motion the wheels of the election process.

Now Buckingham Palace has announced Royal engagements are set to be postponed as a result of the announcement. A spokesperson said: “Following the Prime Minister’s statement this afternoon calling a General Election, The Royal Family will – in accordance with normal procedure – postpone engagements that may appear to divert attention or distract from the election campaign.

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“Their Majesties send their sincere apologies to any of those who may be affected as a result.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met with the King at Buckingham Palace this afternoon, directly after the King hosted young winners of the Prince’s Trust Awards. The pair met for approximately 15 minutes in the King’s usual private audience room as part of the Prime Minister’s scheduled weekly audience.

Earlier today Rishi Sunak said: “Today marks a major moment for the economy, with inflation back to normal. Brighter days are ahead, but only if we stick to the plan to improve economic security and opportunity for everyone.”

Announcing the election, the PM said: “This hard earned economic stability was only ever meant to be the beginning, the question now is how and who do you trust to turn that foundation into a secure future for you, your family, and our country?

“Now is the moment for Britain to choose its future, to decide whether we want to build on the progress we have made or risk going back to square one with no plan and no certainty.

“Earlier today I spoke with His Majesty the King to request the dissolution of Parliament. The King has granted this request and we will have a general election on July 4.

“I have never and will never leave the people of this country to face the darkest of days alone, and you know that because you’ve seen it. As I did then I will forever do everything in my power to provide you with the strongest possible protection I can. That is my promise to you. Because for so many of us, it’s easy to forget the scale of what we’ve been through.”