The British monarch, 74, who has campaigned on environmental issues for most of his life, will attend the start of the United Nations climate meeting on Dec. 1 in Dubai on behalf of the government and following an invite from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the president of the United Arab Emirates.

On the eve of the summit, Charles king will attend a reception to launch the inaugural COP28 Business and Philanthropy Climate Forum which is running alongside the U.N. event, the palace said.

"While in the UAE, the king will take the opportunity to have meetings with regional leaders, ahead of COP28," the statement added.

Countries hope to strike a deal on the increase in capacity at the global climate negotiations which will run from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12 with a focus on the gaps in the implementation of the 2015 Paris Agreement that established the 1.5°C ceiling.

(Reporting by Michael Holden; editing by William James)