Prince Charles fears Rwanda visit will be 'awkward' after he 'slammed migrant policy'

Prince Charles fears his comments criticising Priti Patel's migrant policy will drown out his Commonwealth message during a trip to Rwanda, according to reports.

The Prince of Wales will represent the Queen when prime ministers gather in Kigali next week for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.

It marks the first such meeting he has attended since being named the next head of the association in 2018 and the first time a royal has travelled to the country.

But sources say Charles is concerned that his comments over the UK Government's Rwanda policy, which he reportedly branded "appalling", could overshadow the trip.

The Prince of Wales, said to be 'more than disappointed' by the Rwanda asylum plan, will visit the east African nation this week (PA)

The Rwanda asylum plan, outlined by home secretary Priti Patel in April, intends to move some asylum seekers who cross the Channel to the UK to Rwanda to claim asylum there instead.

Amid the row over the policy, a source told the Telegraph it was "quite awkward" for Charles, 73, to be travelling to Rwanda for the meeting.

It is understood that the Prince of Wales has not yet ruled out making reference to the plan during his visit, while Clarence House is aware he could be asked about the policy during bilateral meetings.

The plan, set out by Priti Patel, will see some asylum seekers who cross the Channel to get to the UK deported to Rwanda to claim asylum there instead (AFP via Getty Images)

While he is said to be "very keen" to focus on challenges faced by the 54 Commonwealth nations, a separate source told the paper it is a struggle to get the message to cut through "at the best of times".

As well as the talks, Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall - who will join him for the trip - will attend a number of engagements including a fashion show.

Prince Charles attends a reception celebrating the UK's Commonwealth diaspora in London earlier this month (REUTERS)

The visit follows reports that tensions between the heir to the throne and Boris Johnson are growing following his comments about the deportation scheme.

They are set to be reunited this week, as the prime minister will also be at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.

A source told the Times last week that Charles had said "he was more than disappointed at the policy" and that he "thinks the government's whole approach is appalling".

Prince Charles, pictured at a Commonwealth event in London this month, is said to be anxious his message will be drowned out (Getty Images)

It also comes amid claims that Charles' relationship with his son William was once again on the rocks.

According to insiders, the pair were heard having "explosive rows" when the Prince of Wales felt he was being "airbrushed" out of the Cambridge family's lives.

The Prince of Wales allegedly felt "bruised" when Wills became extremely close to the Middleton family, who sources described as his "surrogate family".