Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew met with King Charles III at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on Monday, with their private meeting lasting twice as long as originally scheduled.
The meeting was planned for 30 minutes but continued for approximately one hour, according to an update from the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
The Patriarch was received by King Charles at his Scottish summer residence for an exceptional private meeting. The Ecumenical Patriarchate described the discussion as taking place in a “very warm and friendly atmosphere”.
The meeting marked the second time Patriarch Bartholomew has met King Charles since Charles ascended to the British throne.
Their first meeting as monarch and Ecumenical Patriarch took place in October 2022. Earlier, Patriarch Bartholomew had also met Charles when he was Prince of Wales during visits to London.
The warm nature of Monday’s meeting was also reflected at its conclusion. According to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, King Charles personally accompanied Patriarch Bartholomew to the exit of Balmoral Castle as he departed.
The meeting comes amid the Patriarch’s ongoing international engagements and reflects the longstanding relationship between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the British Royal Family.
File photo: Nicholas Papachristou / Ecumenical Patriarchate
