King Charles in surprise move for Donald Trump
Buckingham Palace has confirmed a surprise move to Donald Trump's expected visit to the UK, bringing forward a planned state visit, reportedly because PM Keir Starmer wants to 'curry favour ' with the US president.
Mr Trump will be given all the 'bells and whistles' during the visit now planned for later this year.
It is understood that the formal document required to initiate a state visit, known as the Manu Regia, was delivered to the White House last week by a member of the British Embassy.
The visit had been planned for next year but UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer pushed for it to be sooner, despite concern from King Charles about Mr Trump's statements regarding Canada, where Charles is head of state.
The King had reportedly expressed concerns about Mr Trump's threats to Canada, after he repeatedly claimed the country could become the '51st state' of the United States, and saw it as a reason not to rush a state visit.
The King did not want to celebrate Mr Trump with a state visit while he was 'impugning his sovereignty' over Canada, The Times reports.
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney has said he was not impressed with Britain's invitation to Mr Trump at a time when he was threatening to annex the country. Donald Trump with Queen Elizabeth II during his last State visit in 2019. Credit: Victoria Jones / AP
During a visit to the White House in February, Sir Keir presented Mr Trump with a letter from the King in which he proposed a meeting in Scotland to discuss details of the state visit.
But that informal meeting, while the King was in Scotland over the summer, will no longer happen due to scheduling issues.
The timing of the State visit has not yet been confirmed but is likely to be in September.
'His Majesty has known President Trump for many years and looks forward to hosting him and the first lady later this year,' a Buckingham Palace aide said.
Mr Trump's last state visit to the UK was during his first term in 2019 with Queen Elizabeth. President Donald Trump, Queen Elizabeth II, First Lady Melania Trump, then-Prince Charles and Camilla attend a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace in 2019. Credit: WPA Pool / Getty Images
Traditionally, second-term US presidents are not offered a state visit and have instead been invited for tea or lunch with the monarch at Windsor Castle, BBC reports.
'They're going to do a second, as you know, a second fest… that's what it is: a fest, and it's beautiful, and it's the first time it's ever happened to one person,' Mr Trump said in April.
'And the reason is we have two separate terms, and it's an honour… I'm a friend of Charles, I have great respect for King Charles and the family, William, we have really just a great respect for the family.
'And I think they're setting a date for September.'
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