Donald Trump is being seduced by the promise of royal pageantry as Britain prepares to roll out Prince William during a state visit aimed at securing a post-Brexit trade deal.
The Prince of Wales is expected to take a leading role during the US leader’s September visit, capitalising on the Americans’ well-documented admiration for the monarchy. The strategy comes as Sir Keir Starmer seeks to reestablish close ties with the US and lay the groundwork for a new trade agreement following Trump’s attack on world trade. The Prime Minister personally extended the invitation during a meeting at the White House in February, during which he emphasised Britain’s desire to “reset and elevate” the transatlantic relationship. According to officials with knowledge of the talks, Sir Keir strategically mentioned Prince William’s involvement, knowing it would resonate with Trump.
“As soon as the Prince of Wales was mentioned, Trump lit up,” a White House source told the Mirror. “He’s always been captivated by the pomp and circumstance of the monarchy, and he sees William as a commanding figure.
“Trump will love it being laid on for him, and it will play heavily into his ego. Although a trade deal could be done between the UK and US in weeks, make no mistake, the royal carrot is being dangled.”
The charm offensive is already showing signs of success. Trump, who has frequently praised the royal family, was reportedly “touched” by the invitation and described the idea of being honoured by the Crown as “very special.” The bond between Trump and Prince William appeared to deepen earlier this year when the two men met briefly in Paris in December during a ceremony marking the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Trump was seen engaging warmly with the Prince and later praised him in private. “He’s a real leader. Very sharp. Impressive,” he told aides aboard his flight back to Washington. “You can see why the people respect him. The monarchy’s in good hands with that guy. He’s a good-looking guy. He looked really, very handsome. Some people look better in person? He looked great. He looked really nice, and I told him that.”
The pair also met afterwards at the British Embassy, with the then-president-elect describing the prince as a “good man” doing a “fantastic job.” Trump has long been fascinated with the British royal family, a relationship he has cultivated publicly and privately.
During his first presidency, he took part in a state visit to the UK in 2019, where he was hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace and attended a state banquet in his honour. He later described Her Majesty as “an incredible woman” and “a legend.”
While his relationship with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has been more contentious – calling the Duchess of Sussex “nasty” and criticising their break with the royal family – he has remained fond of the core monarchy.
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“I always liked the Queen, and now you have this young, strong leader in William,” he told a conservative talk show earlier this year. “He’s got it – the look, the discipline, the way he carries himself. America respects that.”
According to advisers, Trump’s affinity for royal ceremony and hierarchy makes the UK’s current approach especially potent. By offering the full spectacle of a state visit – complete with a ceremonial welcome, a royal banquet, and high-profile meetings with Prince William – the UK is appealing directly to Trump’s sense of grandeur.
“There’s no question he responds to prestige, status symbols, and powerful imagery,” said one former Trump administration official. “Having Prince William front and centre during a visit, in full royal fashion, is something that will leave a mark on him and that’s the point.”
For the UK, the stakes are high. With Brexit altering Britain’s global trade landscape, a strong deal with the States remains a top strategic priority.
While formal trade talks stalled under President Joe Biden, Mr Starmer’s government sees a potential second Trump term as a window of opportunity but one that must be carefully managed.
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