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King Charles’ US trip shows royalty’s soft power, even in times of war

12 0
29.04.2026

Last February the White House released photos styling President Donald Trump as a king on social media. This week he got to host a genuine king, for the state visit of Charles III and Queen Camilla.

During this week, the royals have been paraded around Washington and New York as symbols of the once “special relationship” the British like to claim exists across the Atlantic.

That relationship has been increasingly strained by Britain’s refusal to take part in the current Iran war, which has led to acerbic comments by Trump against UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Using the royals to bolster ties with the United States has long been a British tradition, despite the reality that the US came into existence by rebelling against royal rule.

Trump is the only president to have been honoured with two state visits to Britain, and he speaks glowingly of his friendship with the king.

As a constitutional monarch, Charles cannot express views other than those of his government. Were Trump to attack Britain for its........

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