Donald Trump has said that the upcoming state visit by King Charles and Queen Camilla could 'absolutely' help repair strained relations between the UK and the US. The US president's comments come amid a growing rift with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, whom Trump has previously criticised over Britain's stance on the Iran conflict.
In an interview with the BBC, Trump described the King as 'fantastic' and 'a great man', adding that he has known him for years. The president said the visit would be 'a positive' for bilateral ties, which have been under pressure due to disagreements over foreign policy.
The state visit, beginning later this month, marks the 250th anniversary of American independence. Charles and Camilla will attend a 'block party' and meet the president and first lady for a private tea, followed by talks in the Oval Office. However, the King and Queen will not meet with survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, despite reports of a planned private gathering.
Sir Keir Starmer has emphasised the importance of the monarchy in maintaining the 'special relationship' between the two countries. The visit is seen by Downing Street as an opportunity to strengthen ties, though a former Nato secretary general has warned that Britain's military reliance on the US is 'no longer tenable'.
