Diplomatic ties are of great importance to King Charles. So it was no surprise that his sartorial choice at the COP28 summit has prompted a flurry of speculation about where his loyalties really lie. Speaking this morning at the great eco-shindig in Dubai, His Majesty donned a Greek-motif tie and breast pocket handkerchief. It is being interpreted by a delighted Greek press as a signal that he agrees that the Elgin marbles should be returned by the British Museum.

It comes after the blazing diplomatic row between the King’s First Minister and his Greek counterpart, Kyriakos Mitsotakis. ‘A picture is worth a thousand words,’ proclaimed the Greek City Times, ‘as much as it is now considered a cliché in journalism, only this can describe the snapshot captured in Dubai’ adding the choice ‘could well be interpreted as a gesture of support for our country.’ Charles of course regularly holidays in Greece, the country of his father’s birth, and has spoken numerous times of his love of all things Hellenic.

Convention dictates that the King refrain from opining on whether or not the marbles should return. But it’s hardly a helpful move from No. 10’s point of view…

Worth looking closely, the King today, wearing a Greek flag tie at COP, after days of a simmering diplomatic row btw UK and Greek PM ??? pic.twitter.com/CEwaFmBYW4

— Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) December 1, 2023