LIZ Truss will not be joining King Charles on a tour of the UK, Downing Street has confirmed, contrary to earlier reports.
The Prime Minister will be present alongside the King for services of reflection across the UK in memory of the late Quen but will not be on a full tour, with No 10 claiming Truss never intended to join the monarch on walkabouts.
An earlier description of the travel plans suggested that No 10 intended for Truss to join King Charles on engagements in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales – prompting criticism from commentators.
But it has now been stressed that Truss will only be joining the monarch for services of reflection in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Both Truss and the King will travel to Scotland on Monday before heading to Northern Ireland on Tuesday and Wales on Friday.
Truss’s official spokesperson confirmed that it was not a formal or constitutional role but that her accompanying the King had been agreed by No 10 and Buckingham Palace.
The spokesperson said: “It’s not a requirement, but the Prime Minister believes it’s important to be present for what is a significant moment of national mourning around the United Kingdom.”
Truss will also be present when the King visits Westminster parliament on Monday for the presentation of addresses ceremony, with MPs, peers and members of the devolved legislatures also in attendance.
After visiting the UK Parliament, King Charles will travel to Edinburgh for the Queen's funeral procession from Holyroodhouse to St Giles’ Cathedral.
It will commence at 2.35pm, with the King and a number of other Royals following on foot.
Upon arriving at the cathedral, the Queen's coffin will be carried inside at 2.55pm and will be left there until Tuesday.
Crowds have already gathered in Edinburgh, offering a mixed response to the proclamation of Charles becoming King - with one anti-monarchy protester being arrested.
It follows the PM, her ministers and opposition party leaders swearing an oath of allegiance to King Charles during a rare Saturday sitting of Parliament.
King Charles has also held a meeting with Truss and the Cabinet, followed by discussions with Keir Starmer, Ed Davey and Ian Blackford.
