Trump invited again to meet British Royals


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Donald Trump is poised to make history as the first democratically elected leader to receive a second state visit invitation from the British Royal Family. Fresh from his appearance at the Notre Dame Cathedral reopening in Paris, the President-Elect is expected to return to London for another official state reception, according to The Telegraph.

This unprecedented second invitation marks a significant milestone, as Royal records indicate no elected official has received such an honor since at least 1954. While royal figures like Denmark’s Queen Margrethe and Norway’s King Olav have been hosted twice, this privilege has never been extended to an elected head of state in recent memory.

The unique circumstances surrounding Trump’s presidency, particularly his status as only the second president after Grover Cleveland to serve non-consecutive terms, have been cited as justification for this exceptional treatment. Traditional protocol typically limits U.S. presidents to a single state visit, which differs from regular diplomatic engagements by including Royal Family participation.

A government insider explained to The Telegraph: “The fact there has been a change of both sovereign and government in that break [from power] means a second state visit is entirely appropriate.”

The decision appears to be driven by strategic considerations beyond mere protocol. While the Royal Family plays a crucial diplomatic role during these visits, the ultimate authority rests with the government. The Foreign Office and Downing Street’s preparations for this invitation suggest Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government is seeking to cultivate favor with Trump, particularly given his planned global tariff implementation.

Britain’s economic challenges, including pandemic recovery struggles and record-high taxation recently increased by £40 billion under the new left-wing administration, make avoiding a U.S. trade conflict crucial. Starmer appears to be leveraging Trump’s well-known fondness for the Royal Family and Britain to protect the UK from potential tariffs following Trump’s anticipated return to power.

During his previous presidency, Trump showed enthusiasm for a post-Brexit UK trade agreement, though this opportunity was missed due to Conservative government mishaps and pandemic complications. However, the path forward may be complicated by past criticism from Labour cabinet members, including Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s unretracted description of Trump as a “racist KKK and Nazi sympathiser” and a “tyrant in a toupee.” Additional tension stems from Labour’s previous support of Kamala Harris’s unsuccessful campaign.

 

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