Earlier this year the U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer handed Donald Trump a letter from King Charles inviting the U.S. President for an unprecedented second state visit to the U.K. While the moment seemed innocent enough it quite possibly put the King in an awkward position.
According to an article from GBNews, Charles didn’t want to rush into another state visit with the President, especially given how Trump has been threatening Canada, a Commonwealth country of which Charles is technically the head of state. Despite his apparent love for the Royal family, Donald Trump has repeatedly toyed with the idea of annexing Canada which kind of undermines the respect he claims he has for the King.
Of course, the President’s threats have no doubt made Charles slightly wary. He may not show it publicly, but I’d be willing to wager the King hates Trump’s guts. The U.K. and the U.S. may have a relatively good relationship but the Trump issue simply can’t be ignored.
King Charles wished for a more “considered approach” regarding Trump’s visit
The wheels are already in motion for a state visit with Trump confirming that he will be travelling to the U.K. in September. The King has signed and sent the document known as the “manu regia,” to the White House despite the palace having reservations about the whole thing.
Charles had initially proposed that Trump come for an informal visit before a state one. However, the president reportedly vetoed that, opting for “a full visit first, which would not be overshadowed by an informal handshake picture.”
The King had reportedly been hoping to take a “more leisurely and considered approach, building towards a full state visit,” with the plan being to have Trump visit later into his second term. But his wishes were shrugged off by Starmer who has sought to strengthen relations between the U.S. and U.K. with the visit.
Keir Starmer and the letter
The letter which Starmer so publicly waved around back in February was apparently intended to be delivered discreetly. It apparently contained conditions regarding Trump putting a stop to his threats against Canada. Starmer’s presentation of this letter “torpedoed that aim by publicly presenting Trump with a letter from the King in the Oval Office.”
As such it set the expectation of a state visit to come much sooner than the King had been planning. It also left Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, less than impressed that the U.K. should extend such an invitation to Trump in the midst of his threats against the country.
All in all, it seems like Charles is stuck between a rock and a hard place. While the U.S. is perhaps the U.K.’s closest ally, coming across too friendly with the president could alienate Canada. The situation required time and a delicate approach, both of which were thrown out of the window when Starmer publicly handed Trump the letter.
Published: Jun 25, 2025 12:41 pm