LONDON, (Reuters) – Prince Charles privately referred to British plans to expel asylum seekers from Rwanda. Two media reports claimed that this was because the East African nation’s first refugee flight is scheduled to depart next week.

Charles, who is the British heir, was heard discussing the policies, The Times reported.

According to The Times, Charles worries that his controversial asylum policy might overshadow the Commonwealth summit in Rwanda. He is scheduled to attend the meeting as Queen Elizabeth.

According to a source, he said he wasn’t disappointed by the policy.

“He said he thinks the government’s whole approach is appalling. It was clear he was not impressed with the government’s direction of travel.”

Charles spokesperson said that Charles had not denied that he was able to express his personal views about the policy.

We would not discuss any alleged private conversations between the Prince and his family, except to say that we remain politically neutral. According to the spokesperson, policy issues are matters for government.

In an attempt to combat people-smuggling networks, the British government revealed in April that they had reached a deal with Rwanda to allow potentially thousands of asylum seekers there.

We expect at least 30 persons to be removed next week from Britain.

On Friday, the government won a legal challenge against its policy. A judge rejected campaigners’ efforts to obtain an injunction. The government stated that the first flight would depart Tuesday.

According to Britain’s unwritten constitution the royal family must remain neutral in politics. Throughout her seven-decade rule, Queen Elizabeth has kept her opinions to her own.

Charles has, however, expressed opinions on subjects that are close to his heart, such as architecture, nature conservation and genetically modified crop.