King Charles and Queen Camilla touched down in Washington D.C. on Monday, April 27, on what was widely seen as a diplomatic mission to ease tensions between the UK and the US. Over four days, the royal couple attended a lavish White House dinner, strolled through the presidential gardens, and Charles even addressed Congress a rare and historic moment. By most measures, it looked like a resounding success.
But while the King was winning hearts across the Atlantic, the British Prime Minister was getting a very different reception from the man in the Oval Office.
A Warm Welcome for the King, A Cold Shoulder for Starmer
Trump made no secret of his affection for the monarch. Speaking to reporters, he was effusive in his praise: the King was "fantastic," a "great friend," someone who "loves his country." High words from a man not exactly known for handing out compliments freely.
But the warmth stopped there. Trump quickly pivoted, using his fondness for Charles to highlight what he sees as a lack of cooperation from Starmer's government. He claimed that if foreign policy decisions were left to the King rather than the Prime Minister, Britain would have backed US positions on both Iran and Ukraine.
"When you like the King of a country so much, it helps your relationship with the Prime Minister," Trump said before making clear that in this case, it hadn't helped much at all.
The Iran and Ukraine Jab
Trump went further, suggesting King Charles privately agreed with his approach to Iran and would have "followed the suggestions" made regarding Ukraine. It was a bold claim, one that dragged the 79-year-old monarch squarely into geopolitical territory that the Palace has carefully tried to avoid.
On Ukraine, Trump pointed to his frustrations with both NATO and European nations more broadly, framing Starmer's government as part of the problem. The alleged exchange between the two leaders where Starmer reportedly said he'd send help only after the US had already won clearly left a mark. Trump repeated his disapproval twice: "That's not good, that's not good."
Not the First Time
This wasn't a one-off slip, either. Earlier in the visit, at the state dinner attended by around 120 guests, Trump had already nudged the King into political territory. During his address, he referenced the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and claimed that Charles agreed with him even "more than I do" that Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.
It was the kind of statement that put Buckingham Palace in an uncomfortable spot, given the monarchy's long-standing tradition of staying above the political fray.
The Royal Tour Wraps Up in New York
After leaving Washington, the King and Queen spent a day in New York before heading home. One of the most moving moments came at the 9/11 memorial, where they laid flowers at one of the reflecting pools to mark the 25th anniversary of the attacks. The couple also attended a series of cultural events with high-profile guest lists before wrapping up what had been, by any standard, an extraordinarily eventful visit.
Back in Britain, the political fallout is only just beginning. Trump's comments have reignited debate over the state of the UK-US relationship and whether Starmer's government is doing enough to keep Washington onside. For now, it seems the special relationship is feeling anything but.
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