British royalty will play an essential role when Donald Trump visits the United Kingdom next week, seeking to appease the president of the United States as few do.
Once leader of the greatest empire in history, the main diplomatic function of the British king is now to flatter and delight world leaders like Trump on great occasions, hoping that they will see the United Kingdom with good eyes.
“Is there any leader anywhere in the world that has Donald Trump the same attraction as the British monarch?” Asked historian Anthony Seldon.
“Ridicularized by many as old -fashioned and hopelessly outdated, they are the royal family and the monarchy that are attracting the most powerful person in the world,” Seldon told Reuters.
In February, while British Prime Minister Keir Strmer sought to obtain approval by the US President after returning to office-with the aim of keeping him by his side during the war in Ukraine and far from possible commercial tariffs-it was royalty that he turned.
In a somewhat embarrassing conversation at the White House Oval Hall, Starma presented a letter from King Charles III offering Trump a second state visit unprecedented to the United Kingdom, an attitude that immediately won an enchanted president.
“Isn’t it beautiful? He’s a beautiful man, a wonderful man,” Trump said to Stmerer. “We look forward to being there and honoring the king and honoring his country. Your country is a fantastic country and it will be an honor for us to be there,” he added.
Trump’s reception in the UK
After his arrival in the UK, Trump will receive a complete red carpet treatment.
He and his wife, the first lady, will be received the next day by Prince William, someone the US head of state described as “very beautiful” after meeting last December, and his wife, Kate Middleton.
Trump and Melania will then enjoy a carriage procession, a sumptuous state banquet, a flyfish of military aircraft and a shot salary.
Thus, the British government hopes that royalty will be an asset in what can be a crucial visit, seeking to strengthen the ties of defense and security with Washington, having already guaranteed a favorable tariff agreement.
Strategies with other foreign leaders
Trump is far from being the first foreign leader to whom the British government has resorted with royalty to a “charm offensive.”
Queen Elizabeth II, for example, has already received personalities such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
In July, the French president, for a state visit. The meeting with royalty paved the way for a deal about sending some immigrants who crossed the spot canal in small boats back to France and helps relieve tensions after Brexit.
“I have to confess that we love the monarchy, especially when it is not at home,” Macron joked in a speech to the British Parliament.
Royalty itself is fully aware of its fascination with foreign authorities. “THE soft power It’s hard to measure, but its value, I believe, is now firmly understood at home and abroad, “said King’s treasurer James Chalmers.
It is ironic that the importance of the royal family for the government will come when some research suggests that its appreciation in the country may be decreasing, although its popularity usually remains high.
Historian Anthony Seldon, who took Melania Trump for a guided tour of the Prime Minister at Downing Street in 2019, said the president’s visit was “the chance for the monarchy to actually show the UK and the world that she is still active.”
