PRIME Minister Tony Abbott may be forced to discuss his climate change credentials with the palace with Prince Charles confirming he will be holding a private lunch with him next month.

Clarence House, official mouthpiece for the Prince, last night confirmed His Highness would be holding a "very private" lunch for all new leaders of the Commonwealth ahead of the broader Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting (CHOGM) welcoming dinner next month.

Prince Charles is for the first time representing the Queen at this year’s gathering of Commonwealth heads to be held in Colombo.

The Queen traditionally holds the private meeting with new leaders which would this year include Mr Abbott and about nine other leaders installed since the previous CHOGM.

In Australia Mr Abbott is set for a constitutional showdown which could trigger fresh elections next year, with his plans to begin his campaign to repeal carbon price legislation before Parliament convenes days ahead of the Commonwealth heads' meeting.

The Prince is a strong advocate for climate change and like other world leaders supports any initiative on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

While the lunch-table conversation agenda is obviously unknown, it’s likely Mr Abbott’s climate change views which could potential cause a constitutional crisis in Australia will be raised.

Clarence House was quick to point out the Prince generally left politics to the politicians. Although the British press has pointing out this has not stopped him from "meddling" in domestic government issues.