The proposed state visit by King Charles III on 4 July at the White House to mark the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence has taken on huge diplomatic significance amid rising tensions over Greenland.
With President Donald Trump imposing new tariffs and renewing threats against allies, Sir Keir Starmer has few levers to persuade the US president to be more reasonable. The royal visit is perhaps the only card the UK can deploy to prevent the crisis from spiralling.
Senior royals are in essence an extension of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and this is particularly true in dealings with Trump, who reveres the British monarchy. Prince William has been used as a crucial go-between, speaking regularly with the president even more than Starmer does.
The prospect of the state visit has already helped the UK outperform the EU on trade deals and ensured Trump did not reject Lord Mandelson as ambassador. Trump made clear he did not want anything to interfere with the visit, making him more amenable to UK requests.
However, if the UK enters recession due to tariffs or Nato collapses over Greenland, sending a senior royal could be impossible. The irony of a British monarch refusing to attend an event marking the end of George III's rule would be sharp, but cancelling the visit risks provoking Trump further.
