As tensions escalate between the UK and the US over the Greenland dispute, Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, is banking on a royal trump card to persuade the mercurial President Donald Trump to take a more reasonable approach. With the threat of punishing tariffs looming and the NATO alliance teetering, the proposed state visit by King Charles III to the White House on the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence has taken on immense significance.
Starmer has already demonstrated his adeptness at navigating the Trump presidency, utilising the British royal family’s enduring appeal to the US leader. The senior royals are seen as an extension of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and Starmer has skilfully deployed Prince William as a crucial intermediary, with the two leaders maintaining regular contact.
The pageantry of Trump’s historic second state visit to the UK in 2024 also played a crucial role in Starmer’s ability to secure a post-tariff trade deal with the US. The prospect of this coveted invitation appears to have kept Trump amenable to the UK’s demands, and Starmer’s choice of Lord Mandelson as the new US ambassador was also approved.
Now, as the Greenland dispute threatens to escalate, the plan to send King Charles or the Prince of Wales to the US for the 250th anniversary celebrations on July 4th has taken on even greater significance. Trump, who reveres the British royal family, sees this as an important part of his legacy, and the threat of the visit being cancelled could be enough to stay his hand on the tariffs.
However, this diplomatic gambit is not without its risks. Trump is known to take slights personally, and if the royal state visit is cancelled, the consequences could be severe. Starmer must tread carefully, balancing the need to appease Trump while also protecting the UK’s interests.
As the diplomatic turbulence of the Trump presidency continues, Starmer’s ability to navigate these treacherous waters will be tested once again. The stakes are high, but the potential rewards of a successful intervention by the British monarchy could be crucial in preventing an international crisis from spiralling out of control.