Queen Elizabeth Was 'Dismayed' with David Cameron Over Brexit, New Royal Biography Claims
A new royal biography has made the startling claim that the late Queen Elizabeth II was "dismayed" with then-Prime Minister David Cameron's handling of the Brexit referendum. The revelation comes from American journalist Susan Page's forthcoming book 'The Queen and Her Presidents: The Hidden Hand That Shaped History', which details private conversations between the monarch and world leaders.
A Rare Royal Critique During Windsor Castle Luncheon
According to the book's excerpts, obtained by the Daily Mail, Queen Elizabeth made these comments to President Barack Obama during his visit to Windsor Castle in April 2016, shortly after her 90th birthday celebrations. This conversation occurred just two months after Cameron had announced the historic referendum, which would ultimately take place in June of that year.
Page writes that during their private luncheon, "she was not only wary of Brexit but also dismayed by how David Cameron [...] was handling it – a very rare royal critique of a prime minister, in public or private." The Queen reportedly told Obama, "It's hard to understand why a prime minister, who presumably understands politics, would put a public referendum forward that he didn't know what the answer would be of such importance."
The biography describes Cameron's decision to call the referendum as "a calculation that turned out to be disastrously wrong," highlighting the monarch's apparent concern about the political gamble.
Queen Elizabeth Also Questioned Donald Trump's Political Rise
In the same Windsor Castle meeting, the Queen reportedly expressed bewilderment about Donald Trump's rapid ascent in American politics. According to Page's account, she asked Obama, "Why is this person so close to running your country?" This conversation took place in April 2016, just one month before Trump secured the Republican presidential nomination.
The book further reveals that Page herself posed the same question about Trump to Prince Harry's then-girlfriend, Meghan Markle, several months later. Interestingly, it would take eighteen months into Trump's first presidential term before he finally met Queen Elizabeth in person.
Upcoming Royal Visit Amid Historical Context
The revelations come as former President Trump prepares to host King Charles III and Queen Camilla for a state visit to the United States in late April. Trump has publicly expressed enthusiasm for this "historic visit," which will include a White House state banquet. In a social media post last month, Trump wrote about looking forward to spending time with the King, whom he "greatly respects."
This forthcoming meeting between the British monarch and the former president adds contemporary relevance to the historical insights presented in Page's book. The biography promises to shed new light on how Queen Elizabeth navigated relationships with multiple American presidents throughout her record-breaking reign.
'The Queen and Her Presidents: The Hidden Hand That Shaped History' by Susan Page is scheduled for publication on April 23, offering readers unprecedented access to the late monarch's private diplomatic perspectives during some of the most significant political events of recent decades.
