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.
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.
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“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.