Kevin Maguire, Associate Editor, voices strong objections to King Charles and Queen Camilla's upcoming state visit to the United States, arguing that it will not transform Donald Trump's behaviour. He describes the US President as an 'orange man-toddler' whose 'bad behaviour' is being rewarded, potentially encouraging a 'bullying enemy'.
Royal visit criticised as reward for Trump
Maguire writes that sending the royal couple to woo Trump leaves even veteran republicans feeling uneasy. While he has little time for the 'cosseted couple' who provide a Norfolk safe house for the disgraced former prince Andrew, his main objection is that the visit rewards Trump's actions. These include declaring economic war on Britain, endangering UK security, dismissing British soldiers killed in Afghanistan, and threatening to gift the Falklands to Argentina.
Maguire suggests that Trump may behave well during the visit, but it will have no lasting impact, just like last September's unprecedented second state visit to Windsor. He asserts that Trump is Trump, and schmoozing cannot transform him into a friend for Prime Minister Keir Starmer or future leaders. The shattered relationship with the US will persist until Democrats return to the White House.
Concerns over Trump's successor
Maguire also criticises Trump's potential successor, JD Vance, calling him 'odious' for lying about Britain and disliking Europe, except for nationalist extremists like Hungary's Viktor Orban. He notes that Starmer judged it safer to send the royals than cancel the trip, despite appearing happier standing up to Trump.
The article highlights that this week Starmer will be haunted by the ghost of Peter Mandelson, with testimony from former No 10 aide Morgan McSweeney and retired Foreign Office mandarin Phillip Barton likely to be damaging, pushing the PM towards the exit. Starmer's declaration that he will lead Labour into the next election is described as 'the sound of a condemned man whistling to keep his spirits up on the way to the scaffold'.
Maguire concludes that whoever replaces Starmer will inherit a hostile US President. The royal trip will be all style, no substance. He jests that perhaps the UK could do a deal for the couple to move permanently to Mar-a-Lago, saving half a billion pounds a year.
