King's necktie adorned with Greek flag following controversy over Elgin Marbles

Speculation has arisen regarding King Charles' choice of necktie at the COP28 conference, with some suggesting it was a coded message directed at Rishi Sunak. The tie in question featured a pattern based on the Greek flag, which is significant due to the recent dispute between the UK Prime Minister and the Greek Prime Minister over the Parthenon Sculptures, also known as the Elgin Marbles. Buckingham Palace dismissed the notion, stating it was merely a random tie selection. Royal sources pointed out that the King had previously worn the same tie while meeting the South Korean delegation during their state visit. They emphasized that the tie worn during the encounter with Sunak had no connection to Greece or the diplomatic row. The dispute over the sculptures led to Sunak canceling a meeting with Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis, provoking criticism from both Greece and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who accused him of attempting to humiliate a European ally. Former Chancellor George Osborne, who chairs the British Museum, where the Marbles are presently housed, described Sunak's actions as a tantrum. Osborne mentioned that the museum was exploring a potential arrangement in which the sculptures would be split between Athens and London. Sunak, however, firmly ruled out the possibility of a loan arrangement, asserting that the Marbles cannot be returned due to legal reasons. The King has a personal connection with Greece due to his father, the late Prince Philip, being a member of the Greek royal family and being born in Greece. As head of state, the King delivered a keynote speech at the climate change summit, raising speculation about his private thoughts on delivering a government-approved message. While members of the royal family cannot directly comment on political matters, past instances have sparked debates about hidden messages. For example, during the Brexit debates in 2017, claims arose that the late Queen Elizabeth wore a hat resembling the European Union flag during the opening of Parliament. Similarly, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Queen was photographed with Canadian Premier Justin Trudeau in front of a vase filled with blue and yellow flowers, symbolizing the Ukrainian national colors. Though not explicitly stated, the flowers were seen as a subtle message. However, in the case of the King's blue and white tie in Dubai, sources confirmed that there were no political implications behind his choice.