The King and the Prince of Wales are set to play pivotal roles in a diplomatic effort led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer to strengthen ties with US President-elect Donald Trump.
The strategy aims to bypass Nigel Farage’s influence and repair strained UK-US relations through the soft power of the royal family.
The Royals: A Key to Trump’s Heart
Sources indicate that Donald Trump’s admiration for the royal family is seen as a pathway to fostering goodwill.
This approach has already been subtly initiated, with Prince William attending the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, a move designed to lay groundwork for future interactions with Trump.
Strengthening UK-US Relations
Starmer has described the UK-US alliance as a “special relationship” forged in challenging circumstances, including the war in Ukraine and the Middle East crisis.
However, tensions remain high due to Labour’s perceived support for Kamala Harris during the US election, which has strained relations with Trump’s team.
A Trump adviser stated, “There’s a sense of betrayal due to Labour’s actions during the US election, and while Trump may engage with Starmer out of necessity, the relationship will require significant repair.”
Diplomatic Appointments and Controversies
Part of Starmer’s plan involves appointing trusted figures to key diplomatic roles, with Lord Peter Mandelson tipped as UK ambassador to the US. However, Trump’s team has criticised this choice, describing it as “arrogant” and “horrible.”
In response, Labour insiders are exploring additional strategies, including focusing on Trump’s policy interests, such as Israel and NATO.
Farage and Trump: The Unofficial Link
Nigel Farage remains close to Trump, recently becoming the first UK party leader to visit Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate since the election. Despite this connection, Starmer has ruled out any role for Farage as an intermediary.
Key Challenges Ahead
Starmer’s efforts are also aimed at convincing Trump to maintain financial support for Ukraine amid fears the incoming administration may withdraw aid.
Additionally, disagreements over the Chagos Islands and Labour’s stance on Israel add further complexity to the relationship.
Trump’s choice of Warren Stephens as US ambassador to the UK underscores his focus on ensuring the UK remains supportive of Israel, amid concerns over Labour’s policies.
Starmer’s Perspective
Speaking about the relationship, Starmer said, “this is a special relationship forged in extremely difficult circumstances, which has lasted a very long time and is as important today as it’s ever been. So that is an unbreakable relationship between our two countries.”
