King Charles is set to begin his highly anticipated official visit to the United States in a few hours, during which he will meet with President Donald Trump.
The visit has stirred controversy due to Trump’s recent criticisms of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for not supporting the US in Iran, leading to Trump’s disparaging remarks about the PM and the Royal Navy. Additionally, tensions may arise as Trump has previously clashed with King Charles’ son, Prince Harry, and daughter-in-law, Meghan Markle, on social media.
Trump has publicly criticized Harry and Meghan for their decision to step back from royal duties in 2020, particularly regarding their security arrangements when they moved to the US. Despite Trump’s initial stance that the US government would not cover their security costs, it was later clarified that the couple would fund their own security.
In past years, Trump has expressed disapproval of the Sussexes’ actions, especially when they endorsed Joe Biden during the 2020 US election campaign. Trump also made derogatory comments about Meghan, indicating strained relationships within the royal family.
The tension escalated when it was revealed that Harry would attend King Charles’ Coronation, prompting Trump to express surprise and criticism towards Harry’s past statements. Further controversy arose when Trump demanded transparency regarding Harry’s US visa application due to revelations in his memoir about drug use.
In response to Harry’s recent statements calling for an end to the conflict in Ukraine, Trump dismissed Harry’s role as a representative of the UK and emphasized his own perspective on international relations.
The ongoing friction between Trump and the royal family underscores the complex dynamics at play as King Charles embarks on his US visit.