King Charles III has joked that he is to blame for criticism surrounding Anthony Albanese's attendance at a Commonwealth leaders' gathering in the Caribbean, after the Prime Minister travelled there at the monarch's invitation.
Speaking aboard Andrew Forrest's Green Pioneer vessel during an environmental event on Tuesday Albanese told the King he had faced repeated questions from journalists earlier in the day about why he was attending the meeting.
'I said, 'Because His Majesty invited me',' Albanese remarked, according to the Australian.
The King laughed and replied: 'Oh God, it's all my fault. Oh no.'
It comes after Albanese defended his latest overseas trip as Australians prepare for a likely interest rate rise on Tuesday, insisting international diplomacy and trade engagement are critical to improving living standards at home.
Albanese spent part of his visit to Antigua and Barbuda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting attending the launch of the Commonwealth Nature Initiative aboard mining billionaire Andrew Forrest's Green Pioneer vessel.
He was joined by King Charles and Forrest and a host of world leaders and conservation advocates.
The event unveiled a $288million conservation pledge aimed at helping Commonwealth nations protect 30 per cent of their land and oceans by 2030.
Anthony Albanese (left) met with King Charles and Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest (centre)
The launch was held aboard Fortescue's Green Pioneer, described as the world's first ammonia-capable dual-fuel vessel.
King Charles attended a reception on board following the event, alongside world leaders including Albanese, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Guyanese President Irfaan Ali.
Asked what message he had for Australians ahead of a likely rate rise, Albanese said his government remained focused on strengthening the economy.
'My message to Australians is that we'll continue to work each and every day to keep our economy stronger, and that includes engaging in global trade and engaging in the world,' he said.
The Prime Minister also rejected suggestions he had implied living standards could not improve until wars in Ukraine and the Middle East ended.
'What I say is that the global conflicts are having an ongoing impact on the global economy. That's something that every single leader here would recognise,' Albanese said.
When pressed on comments from an earlier speech in which he said that 'returning our nations and our world to the path of prosperity and rising living standards requires an end to those wars', Albanese argued the conflicts were contributing to inflationary pressures worldwide.
Albanese (right) rejected criticism about his overseas trips, arguing it strengthened trade
'Global inflation is having an impact because of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. That is having an impact on the global economy,' he said.
Albanese also said he was pursuing 'Australia's national interests' on the trip.
'Australia's national interests are served by a stronger global economy, by engaging in trade, by engaging with our economic partners, as well as our national security interests,' he said.
While on board Andrew Forrest's Green Pioneer vessel, Albanese in a speech argued that environmental protection and climate action can drive economic growth, while praising King Charles' leadership on conservation.
He also linked environmental action to economic outcomes, arguing that climate policies would lower costs rather than increase them.
'When we use economic systems to drive that change, because renewable energy will lower costs, not increase them, and will boost economic growth and productivity, then together we can be successful,' he said.
Albanese said climate change posed an 'existential threat' to low-lying island nations and pointed to Green Pioneer itself as evidence that decarbonisation could create new economic opportunities.
'I congratulate all involved on this initiative, but particularly the leadership of His Majesty King Charles III,' he said.
Anthony Albanese (pictured) addressed the crowd on board Forrest's Green Pioneer vessel
Forrest's Green Pioneer (pictured) is the world's first green ammonia-powered vessel
Forrest's Green Pioneer is the world's first dual-fuel ammonia-powered vessel, with Andrew Forrest's company promoting it as a demonstration of how green ammonia could help decarbonise the global shipping industry.
But the Prime Minister's praise for the vessel comes as the Albanese government has sought to temper expectations around green hydrogen, a technology heavily backed by Fortescue and once promoted as a major pillar of Australia's clean-energy future.
Earlier this year, Energy Minister Chris Bowen said he had 'never quite bought all the hype on green hydrogen', a remark seen as a major back down from the government's earlier enthusiasm for the industry, previously pledging $6.7billion in hydrogen production tax incentives among other major investments in the technology.
Bowen was also the architect of the government's National Hydrogen Strategy 2024, which declared that 'hydrogen is central to the Australian Government's vision for a Future Made in Australia'.
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