Falklands War veteran Simon Weston has expressed his belief that King Charles could persuade US President Donald Trump to reconsider his reported stance on the Falkland Islands, amid suggestions that the US is reviewing its position on the British Overseas Territory, which Argentina also claims.
An apparent leaked internal Pentagon email indicated that the US was exploring options to penalise NATO allies perceived as not supporting Trump's military actions in Iran. Downing Street reiterated on Friday that the sovereignty of the remote territory rests with the United Kingdom.
Weston, a prominent figure from the 1982 conflict, described the alleged US move as a "hissy fit" and offered his perspective on how the upcoming state visit by King Charles could improve UK-US relations, especially given the ongoing tensions over Iran.
King Charles' State Visit
King Charles and Queen Camilla are scheduled to travel to the US next week for a state visit commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence. Trump has previously criticised Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, straining the traditionally strong bilateral relationship as the US President pressures the UK to join the conflict with Iran.
Despite these strains, Weston expressed hope that King Charles could encourage Trump to "back down and calm down" regarding the Falklands during the visit. Speaking to the BBC, Weston stated: "The visit of the King next week couldn't come at a better time." He added: "He's [Trump] paying absolutely no heed to the humanity that he's abusing with his words because the people of the Falklands deserve more respect, but so do every veteran who served down there deserve more respect."
Remembering the Falklands Conflict
The 72-day war in 1982 saw 255 British Armed Forces personnel killed and 777 wounded following the Argentinian invasion. Weston, a Welsh Guardsman, suffered life-changing burns covering 46% of his body when the RFA Sir Galahad was bombed by an Argentinian fighter jet while waiting to transfer troops ashore.
Weston, who received a CBE in 2016 for his charity work with veterans, told LBC this week: "He's [Trump] thrown them under a bus, because he's having a hissy fit around no-one wanting to go to his fight." He continued: "It's destabilising for decent, hardworking people and the community that are there. They have to go to bed tonight with the uncertainty now that something may change - this is just cruel."
Trump's Response
On Thursday, Trump himself suggested that the state visit could help mend fractures in the alliance. When asked by the BBC if King Charles could help repair strained relations, Trump replied: "Absolutely. He's fantastic. He's a fantastic man. Absolutely the answer is yes." He added: "I know him [King Charles] well, I've known him for years. He's a brave man, and he's a great man. They would absolutely be a positive."
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper wrote on X: "The Falklands Islands are British - sovereignty rests with the UK, self-determination rests with the islanders." A representative for the Falkland Islands Government stated: "Self-determination is a fundamental human right enshrined in article one, paragraph two of the Charter of the United Nations. In 2013, the Falkland Islands held an internationally observed sovereignty referendum, in which 99.8% of voters, on a turnout of 92 per cent, voted in favour of remaining an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom."
The Pentagon has not commented on the apparent email but a spokesperson told the BBC it would "ensure that the president has credible options to ensure that our allies are no longer a paper tiger and instead do their part".
