Sir Keir Starmer has been relying on President Donald Trump's fondness for the royal family to maintain ties between Downing Street and the White House. With the special relationship at its lowest point since the Suez Crisis in 1956, King Charles's state visit to Washington DC comes at a critical time.
The relationship has deteriorated in recent weeks after Trump made repeated jibes against Starmer, including comparing him to Neville Chamberlain, embarrassing him over the Chagos Islands, and suggesting the UK could face new tariffs. While Starmer cannot change policy to appease Trump, there is hope that King Charles can make a more favourable impression.
Trump has described the King as “fantastic” and “a great man”, stating that the visit could “absolutely” repair the relationship. The president's admiration for the late Queen and his personal friendship with King Charles, as well as regular private conversations with Prince William, are seen as key diplomatic assets.
The royal family, while generally kept at arm's length, remains a vital part of British diplomacy. Trump's Scottish mother instilled in him a love for the royals, which Starmer has used to his advantage. The King's invitation for a second state visit helped secure an early trade deal and support on complex issues like the Chagos Islands transfer, though both have since encountered difficulties.
The visit is timed to coincide with the 250th anniversary of US independence from the UK, an apt analogy given the current state of relations. The UK government hopes the King can help get trade and defence discussions back on track.
