The King may have been dispatched to heal the UK-US relationship, but as the Falklands shows, Donald Trump will use anything to wound Britain if he needs to, argues our Writer at Large

I’m no monarchist but even republicans like me feel genuine sympathy for King Charles: the living symbol of Britain dispatched to America, despite ongoing cancer treatment, as an offering to quell Donald Trump’s vaunting spite.

Yet this is what royalty has always been about, no? In times long gone, forlorn princesses were married off to power-mad potentates to forge alliances or show obeisance. George VI was used as an emissary to seal American support for Britain against Hitler.

So when it comes to the shameful mission Charles has been ordered to undertake, what’s really changed?

Perhaps Charles will be successful. Perhaps his presence will soften Trump’s behaviour towards the UK. If you’ve ever had the misfortune to spend time in the company of a tyrannical toddler, you’ll know they can be very changeable: smashing their toys one minute, then asking you sweetly to read them a story the next.

It’s more likely, though, that Charles will merely cause a temporary reset in the bullying and humiliation. Trump will be wooed by our king paying him homage, and ease up on the insults and threats towards Keir Starmer and Britain for a while. But someday – and sooner rather than later – Britain will displease Trump again and the cycle will repeat.

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