Britain’s King Charles has sent a personal message of congratulations to Donald Trump on his inauguration, reflecting on the enduring special relationship between the UK and U.S., Buckingham Palace said.
Charles’s private written words were delivered to mark Trump being sworn into office as U.S. president for a second time.
It is understood all options remain possible for an incoming state visit by Trump to the UK and a visit by Charles to the U.S., but no plans are currently in the diary.
Foreign monarchs, presidents or prime ministers are invited to visit the King on the advice and request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, with the decision down to the Government.
Trump is well known for his love of the monarchy and the royal family plays a central role in the UK’s bond with the U.S.
The U.S. leader boasted he had “automatic chemistry” with the late Queen, and has hailed the King as a “really wonderful guy”.
When Trump met the Prince of Wales in Paris last month after the ceremonial reopening of the Notre Dame cathedral, he remarked of William that he was “very handsome” and “some people look better in person”.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to hold talks with Trump in Washington within weeks as the “special relationship” faces strain, with high-profile Labour figures having expressed critical opinions about Trump in the past.
Trump is weighing up whether to approve the appointment of Lord Mandelson as the UK’s new ambassador in Washington, the fate of the Chagos Islands deal and the extent to which tariffs will hit Britain.
He was already feted with a grand state visit to the UK, hosted by the queen in 2019.
Precedent for second-term US presidents who have already made a state visit is usually tea or lunch with the monarch at Windsor Castle, as was the case for George W Bush and Barack Obama.
But nothing should be ruled out when it comes to Trump, who is first ever U.S. president to be a convicted felon in the wake of his New York hush money trial.
His election victory marked an extraordinary comeback in a political career which has been marred in controversy, criminal charges, accusations of racism and sexism, and the US Capitol riots in January 2021.
The last outward state visit to the U.S. by a British monarch was 17 years ago when Elizabeth II was hosted by George W Bush in 2007.
The king and queen could be invited to the U.S. by Trump.
Palace officials indicated that after Charles and Camilla’s recent Australia tour that the king will return to regular overseas trips this year as he adapts to living with cancer.