THE King risked inflaming the Elgin Marbles row — by wearing a Greek flag tie at the COP28 climate summit.
Charles’ blue-and-white tie raised eyebrows as Rishi Sunak denied he had a “hissy fit” over the ancient sculptures row.
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After last week’s cancelled meeting with Greek PM, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Mr Sunak said: “The Marbles can’t be returned.
“We’ve been unequivocal about that.
“And I think the British Museum’s website itself says that in order for the loans to happen the recipient needs to acknowledge the lawful ownership of the country that’s lending the things.
“I think the Greeks have not suggested that they are in any way shape or form willing to do that.
“Our view and our position on that is crystal clear: the marbles were acquired legally at the time.”
But the saga intensified as Charles — whose late father Philip was Greek — last night addressed the summit in Dubai wearing a Greek tie.
British Museum chair and ex-Tory Chancellor George Osborne fuelled speculation the Marbles could be returned and said the possibility of a deal was “fifty-fifty”.
Number 10 has said there are no plans to change the law for the permanent return of the sculptures.
