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I simply cannot emphasize enough how much Europe is freaking out right now because Donald Trump “won” the election. European leaders were at their wit’s end dealing with Trump in his first term, and they fully understand that his second term is going to be a lot worse. There are already reports that Trump will follow through on his long-standing wish of removing America from NATO. Even if he’s unsuccessful in that, he’ll be able to significantly weaken NATO and America’s NATO alliances. I certainly believe that he’ll cut off Ukraine and give Putin the greenlight to do whatever he wants there. That being said, Trump is extremely stupid and susceptible to flattery, and he loves nothing more than when European leaders or European royals are nice to him. Emmanuel Macron has his plan in place for how to deal with Trump, and it looks like Keir Starmer’s plan is just giving Trump a lot of facetime with King Charles and the royals.
The King is ready to use the Royal Family’s much-vaunted soft power to help smooth relations between Britain and Donald Trump’s incoming US administration. Keir Starmer has been working closely with the monarch on the international stage since July but Trump’s promise to shake up the world order now presents a serious challenge to the oft-cited special relationship between the two countries.
Quite how much King Charles or his family can do to help remains to be seen but once the new president takes office in January it is likely that the royals will be deployed to help get over Britain’s worldview to the new US president. The 75-year-old monarch has known Donald and Melania Trump and their children for years and, while they disagree on the threat from climate change and there are potential tensions on numerous other issues – not least Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex – their personal friendship may stand the UK in good stead.
Starmer and his colleagues have spent the past few months trying to build ties with Trump and his team but face a few bumps in the road ahead. Trump’s closeness to Boris Johnson, Nigel Farage and Elon Musk – the billionaire X owner who has criticised Starmer over his handling of this summer’s race riots and claims of two-tier policing, and now inheritance tax raids on farmers – is a potential problem.
A row over Labour sending 100 current or former staff across the Atlantic to campaign for Kamala Harris in their spare time has not helped the new Government’s relationship with the incoming Republican administration. Nor has previous criticism of Trump from senior Labour figures, including the Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, former frontbencher Emily Thornberry, and London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
Some British diplomats have privately expressed frustration with what they see as the new Government’s naivety and missteps, as well as the foreign affairs inexperience of Lammy and his ministerial team. But then others have pointed out that other world leaders have made similar criticism of Trump and survived: Johnson, for example, worked well with Trump despite describing him as “clearly out of his mind” and “unfit for office” a year before he was elected president the first time.
But the royals can bring an extra element of diplomacy, via official and state visits, informal chats, and meetings at international gatherings. Trump owns a golf course near Aberdeen. Might a private trip to Scotland allow the King to entertain him over tea at Balmoral? Time will tell. The US president might also be persuaded stop over in Britain en route to a Nato summit in The Hague next June or come to London on a European tour in his first year in office.
Evie Aspinall, director of the British Foreign Policy Group think-tank, said there would be much that the Starmer and Trump administrations would disagree on in the next few years so the UK would have to be creative in its diplomacy.
“I do think that the Royal Family is a really good way for the UK to strengthen relations, not least because, Donald Trump, he loves family, he loves the pomp of the monarchy and I think that’s an exciting way for him to feel important,” she said. “Being seen to be recognised by the Royal Family is something, I think, that he would like. So actually the more we can bring in people like King Charles, who he particularly likes, I think there’s an opportunity to get a basis of strong relations from that.”
David Lammy suggested an inbound state visit might come later in Trump’s presidency, even though the precedent for previous second-term presidents such as George W Bush and Barack Obama was tea or lunch at Windsor Castle with the monarch.
The Foreign Secretary, who met Trump for dinner in New York in September despite his previous criticism, told the BBC’s Newscast podcast: “State visits take a while to organise. So in the next year, I’ve got to tell you, I think that would be a bit of a tall order. But he was genuine in his respect and his affection for the Royal Family. It is always the case that as head of state the King plays an important role. We want to be generous with our American friends and as they will be, I imagine with us, particularly in a second term.”
“Trump’s closeness to Boris Johnson, Nigel Farage and Elon Musk…” While I’m no fan of BoJo, he’s not trying to “run” Trump like Musk and Farage. Farage has been trying to become Britain’s ambassador to MAGAland for years now. Musk has his own agenda, and it’s not a British agenda. But anyway, yeah – what the Brits need to understand is that Trump is profoundly uncomplicated. He worships the Windsors and he’s a starf–ker of the highest order. Get King Charles to really glad-hand him and put down the red carpet and Trump will give Britain whatever they want. The Macrons will do the same – Trump is a huge fan of Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron because they always doted on him and gave him special attention. It would never occur to Trump that people think he’s a childish moron who can be largely swayed with flattery.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.
PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND – JUNE 05: Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and US President Donald Trump attend a function during the D-day 75 Commemorations on June 05, 2019 in Portsmouth, England. The political heads of 16 countries involved in World War II joined Her Majesty, The Queen on the UK south coast for a service to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day. Overnight it was announced that all 16 had signed an historic proclamation of peace to ensure the horrors of the Second World War are never repeated. The text has been agreed by Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Slovakia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.,Image: 536152874, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR SEVEN DAYS – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251, Model Release: no, Credit line: – / Avalon
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 03: US President Donald Trump and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales attend Tea at Clarence House with First lady Melania Trump and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall on December 03, 2019 in London, England. President Trump is in the UK to attend the NATO Leaders Summit, marking the 70th anniversary of the organisation.,Image: 541105328, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR SEVEN DAYS – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251, Model Release: no, Credit line: – / Avalon
King Charles III talking to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during a reception for international business leaders at St Paul’s Cathedral, London, to showcase the UK as a destination for investment, following the Government’s International Investment Summit. Picture date: Monday October 14, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story ROYAL King. Photo credit should read: Lucy,Image: 921049094, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Lucy North / Avalon
USA Rights Only – London, UK -20190604-President Donald Trump and Melania Trump Attend Return Dinner During UK Visit
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall with US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania with US Ambassador to the UK Woody Johnson and his wife Suzanne Ircha at Winfield House, the residence of the Ambassador of the United States of America to the UK, in Regent’s Park, London, for the Return Dinner as part of his state visit to the UK.
-PICTURED: President Donald Trump and Prince Charles
-PHOTO by: Chris Jackson/PA Images/INSTARimages.com
-43320929.jpg
This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact Instar Images LLC for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207 This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. Instar Images LLC reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded
Featuring: President Donald Trump and Prince Charles
Where: London, England, United Kingdom
When: 04 Jun 2019
Credit: Chris Jackson/PA Images/INSTARimages.com
**USA Rights Only**
USA Rights Only – London, UK -20190604- Camilla Duchess of Cornwall, Charles Prince of Wales, President Donald Trump and Melania Trump attend the Return Dinner at the ambassador’s residence at Winfield House in Regent’s Park as part of the President’s state visit.

-PICTURED: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Charles, Prince of Wales, President Donald Trump, Melania Trump
-PHOTO by: Victoria Jones/PA Images/INSTARimages.com
-43319835.jpg

This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact Instar Images LLC for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207 This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. Instar Images LLC reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded
Featuring: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Charles, Prince of Wales, President Donald Trump, Melania Trump
Where: London, England, United Kingdom
When: 04 Jun 2019
Credit: Victoria Jones/PA Images/INSTARimages.com
**USA Rights Only**
USA Rights Only – London, UK -20190604- Camilla Duchess of Cornwall, Charles Prince of Wales, President Donald Trump and Melania Trump attend the Return Dinner at the ambassador’s residence at Winfield House in Regent’s Park as part of the President’s state visit.
-PICTURED: Charles, Prince of Wales, President Donald Trump
-PHOTO by: Victoria Jones/PA Images/INSTARimages.com
-43319521.jpg
This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact Instar Images LLC for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207 This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. Instar Images LLC reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded
Featuring: Charles, Prince of Wales, President Donald Trump
Where: London, England, United Kingdom
When: 04 Jun 2019
Credit: Victoria Jones/PA Images/INSTARimages.com
**USA Rights Only**
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 04: US First Lady Melania Trump, Suzanne Ircha, wife of the US Ambassador to London and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall smile as they attend a dinner at Winfield House, during the state visit by US President Donald Trump on June 04, 2019 in London, England. President Trump’s three-day state visit began with lunch with the Queen, followed by a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace, whilst today he attended business meetings with the Prime Minister and the Duke of York, before traveling to Portsmouth to mark the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings. (
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 04: US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump host a dinner at Winfield House for Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, during their state visit on June 04, 2019 in London, England. President Trump’s three-day state visit began with lunch with the Queen, followed by a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace, whilst today he attended business meetings with the Prime Minister and the Duke of York, before traveling to Portsmouth to mark the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
