Trump’s state visit underlines the enduring role of the monarchy, whose pageantry and soft power outlast political storms
By Richard Merrin
As Donald Trump arrives in Britain for his three-day state visit, the political backdrop could hardly be more chaotic.
Westminster remains consumed by the recent resignations, including the effective firing of our ambassador, and pre-Budget economic jitters, while transatlantic relations strain under trade disputes and sharp rhetoric.
Yet as the motorcade rolls through London and Windsor’s flags unfurl, the British monarchy will once again demonstrate why it remains one of the nation’s most potent - if understated - tools of diplomacy.
The Royal Family’s mastery of ceremonial theatre is not mere pageantry. It is a carefully cultivated instrument of soft power, projecting stability and continuity when politics feels anything but.
From the Horse Guards’ precision parade to the glittering state banquet in Windsor Castle, each ritual sends a clear message that Britain’s institutions........





















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