LONDON, Sept 11, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - Prime Minister Liz Truss will join King 
Charles III at memorial services around Britain for Queen Elizabeth, Downing 
Street has said, while denying she would officially accompany him after the 
idea drew criticism.

Media commentators and social media users had whether there was a political 
motivation for Truss joining the king to lead mourning in Scotland, Northern 
Ireland and Wales.

But the prime minister's office was at pains to play down any controversy, 
with Truss still in the first week of her premiership after having been 
appointed by the queen on Tuesday.

"The PM is not 'accompanying' the king and it is not a 'tour'. She is merely 
attending these services," Downing Street said.

A day earlier, Downing Street had said that Truss "will join the king as he 
leads the national mourning across the United Kingdom, attending services of 
reflection" in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. 

"It's not a requirement. But the prime minister believes it's important to be 
present for what will be a significant moment of national mourning around the 
United Kingdom."

The initial announcement had drawn criticism.

"Out of genuine interest... why?" tweeted Alastair Campbell, the former media 
chief for ex-prime minister Tony Blair, in response to a BBC report that 
Truss would accompany Charles.

"I can see how this helps Liz Truss. I cannot see how it helps King Charles," 
added Financial Times writer Henry Mance, adding that the "well-wishing 
atmosphere seen outside the palace yesterday will be hard to recreate if a 
politician is present and meddling".

Charles is visiting all the component nations of the United Kingdom in an 
operation codenamed "Spring Tide" following the death of Britain's longest 
serving monarch.

Buckingham Palace on Saturday announced fuller plans for Charles' itinerary 
leading up to the queen's state funeral in London on September 19.

The king is first due to attend a service of "prayer and reflection" for the 
queen at St Giles' Cathedral in the Scottish capital Edinburgh on Monday.

Charles will then fly to Belfast on Tuesday for a similar service at St 
Anne's Cathedral in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and will travel to Wales on 
Friday. 

Details for the Welsh trip have yet to be released.