Prince Charles has warned that COP26 is a 'last chance saloon' to save the planet, as he prepares to join the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Glasgow

The Prince of Wales met with world leaders at the G20 summit in Rome this weekend, ahead of his trip to Glasgow for COP26. 

• Prince Charles was invited to speak at the meeting of world leaders by Italy's prime minister, Mario Draghi.
• The prince will also deliver the opening address at COP26 in Glasgow later today. 
• This follows royal news that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have written an open letter to G20 leaders, pleading with them to 'vaccinate the world'

In a move that's rather unconventional for working members of the Royal Family, Prince Charles was this weekend invited to address leaders at the G20 summit in Rome. 

Gathering in the Italian capital immediately preceding COP26 kicking off today in Glasgow, the summit saw British PM Boris Johnson, US President Joe Biden, and French President Emmanuel Macron among the international leaders meeting to discuss pressing global issues – chief among them, climate change. 

Delivering a speech at the invitation of Italian PM Mario Draghi, Prince Charles described the COP26 climate conference as "the last chance saloon", telling world leaders the summit that "the future of humanity and nature herself are at stake".

Setting out his arguments for climate action ahead of his appearance in Glasgow later today, the prince said: "Quite literally, it is the last chance saloon. We must now translate fine words into still finer actions.

"And as the enormity of the climate challenge dominates peoples' conversations, from newsrooms to living rooms, and as the future of humanity and nature herself are at stake, it is surely time to set aside our differences and grasp this unique opportunity to launch a substantial green recovery by putting the global economy on a confident, sustainable trajectory and, thus, save our planet."

The prince also had some choice words for leaders themselves, telling them that "listening is often more important than speaking", before adding: "It is also impossible not to hear the despairing voices of young people who see you, ladies and gentlemen, as the stewards of the planet, holding the viability of their future in your hands."

The Prince of Wales is likely to echo such sentiments in his speech later today, as he joins the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and, of course, the Duchess of Cornwall in Glasgow for the opening ceremony of COP26. 

Sadly, Her Majesty the Queen will not be in attendance at the landmark climate summit for health reasons, following the news that she has been advised by doctors "to rest" for a further two weeks.