EXCLUSIVE: With reports saying that senior royals will be sent to “reinforce the special relationship” between the UK and US, a leading expert questions who could undertake the visit
Donald Trump recently met Prince William in Paris(Image: (Image: Getty))
The special relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States is one which has been nurtured by a strong relationship between the monarch and the sitting President. And, following on from Donald Trump’s inauguration, it is clear that this position will continue.
With reports that senior members of the Royal Family will be planning to head across the pond to “reinforce” the bond between the two countries, experts have questioned who will make the first trip Stateside and when it is likely to happen.
Despite not being in the Commonwealth, the US visit would clearly be one of the upmost importance, with a leading commentator saying that it would be a trip which would be “hugely [flattering]” to President Trump.
Jennie says that President Trump is someone who is “hugely flattered” by attention from royalty(Image: Getty Images)
Speaking to The Mirror, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond explained: “Soft power is one of the great strengths of the monarchy. It’s what they are particularly good at: treading a delicate diplomatic tightrope without the complication of being involved in the political arena.
“Donald Trump is a man who appears to be hugely flattered by attention from royalty. So the Government would be crazy to ignore the asset they have.”
Referring to Prince William’s visit back in November to Paris to mark the re-opening of the Notre Dame where he met Trump, Jennie adds: “William has already gone down well with the President, but Trump would probably now hope for a visit by the King.”
With important events such as the World Cup and the Semiquincentennial (250th anniversary of independence) both coming up in 2026, it would be the perfect opportunity for the visit to take place.
As for whether the King would be sent to carry out his first visit to the US since his reign began, Jennie concludes: “The decision will be up to the Foreign Office – and the King’s doctors – but the anniversary next year would be an obvious opportunity to deploy the Royal Family in cementing relations with the USA.”
Donald Trump met Prince William in Paris in November(Image: (Image: Getty))
President Trump’s November meeting with the Prince of Wales generated a great deal of interest. Speaking after he and William met at the official re-opening of the Notre Dame in Paris, Trump praised the Prince saying: “He’s a good-looking guy. He looked really, very handsome last night.”
In a talk with the New York Post, the-then President Elect added: “Some people look better in person? He looked great. He looked really nice, and I told him that,” Trump told the paper.
Donald Trump went on to speak about what he and the Prince spoke about as he called their interaction a “great talk” as they touched on some personal issues, including Kate and King Charles’ battles with cancer.
“I asked him about his wife and he said she’s doing well,” Trump said. “And I asked him about his father and his father is fighting very hard, and he loves his father and he loves his wife, so it was sad.”
