Emily Thornberry, the chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, has issued a stark warning that Donald Trump could use an upcoming state visit to embarrass King Charles during the monarch's trip to the United States. The Labour MP raised serious concerns about the US President's behaviour, stating she is "worried" about the King and Queen heading to America for high-stakes diplomatic engagements.
Thornberry's Reservations About Trump's Conduct
Ms Thornberry, an outspoken critic of the former US President, described the royal visit as "high stakes" and expressed particular apprehension about Trump's inability to control his public statements. "My worry is that they'll be embarrassed, my worry is Trump's behaviour, and my worry is that it's against a backdrop of there being a war," she explained, referencing the ongoing conflict in Iran that has strained US-UK relations.
The Shadow Attorney General elaborated on her concerns, noting: "I worry about him saying something to the media, the media shout out questions to him all the time, and he can't stop himself answering. At 4:00 in the morning when he's over excited, I just don't know what he might write." She suggested Trump might misunderstand the nature of the visit, believing "the King is a personal friend" rather than recognizing Charles is "being a proper public servant and doing the right thing."
Unprecedented Royal Diplomacy Amid Tensions
This visit marks the first time a British monarch has travelled to the United States since Queen Elizabeth's trip in 2007, representing a significant diplomatic moment. King Charles and Queen Camilla are scheduled to meet with Trump in person five times over four days as part of efforts to repair relations between the two nations.
The diplomatic landscape has been particularly fraught, with Trump previously criticizing the UK's approach to the Iran war as "terrible" and dismissing Prime Minister Keir Starmer as "no Winston Churchill." These comments have added layers of complexity to what was already anticipated to be a delicate series of meetings between the monarch and the controversial US leader.
Political Calls to Reconsider the Visit
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has joined the chorus of concern, calling on the Prime Minister to consider calling off the royal state visit entirely. The trip is scheduled to coincide with the beginning of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of American independence, adding symbolic weight to the occasion.
Speaking last week, Sir Ed cautioned: "President Trump is one of the most unpredictable people we have seen on the world stage and I hope he does not embarrass our monarch." His comments reflect broader anxieties within British political circles about entrusting such an important diplomatic mission to what many perceive as Trump's volatile leadership style.
Trump has previously been hosted for two state visits to the United Kingdom, but this represents the first reciprocal royal visit during his presidency. The Foreign Affairs Committee chair emphasized that she hopes the visit "has been thought through very carefully and that there aren't opportunities for Trump to embarrass their majesties," highlighting the delicate balance between diplomatic necessity and potential reputational risk.
