‘A beautiful man’: How UK PM Keir Starmer used King Charles to entice Donald Trump | World News

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, and U.S. President Donald Trump shake palms at a joint press convention within the East Room on the White House Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Washington. (Carl Court/Pool Photo through AP)

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s go to to Washington was meant to safe key diplomatic wins, significantly a agency US safety assure for Ukraine. However, it was King Charles III’s presence—albeit within the type of a letter—that outlined the optics of the assembly with President Donald Trump.
From the second Starmer handed Trump an embossed letter carrying a private invitation from the king for a second state go to to Britain, the political gravity of the second shifted. What was anticipated to be a high-stakes dialogue on world safety remodeled into one thing extra paying homage to a royal courtly trade, the place ceremony took priority over laborious coverage.
Trump, visibly happy, examined the letter, signed “Charles R” in a daring, hanging script. “A beautiful man, a wonderful man,” he remarked, admiring the king’s signature earlier than including, “That’s quite a signature, isn’t it?” Starmer, enjoying the function of messenger, emphasised the historic nature of the invitation. “This is really special. This has never happened before,” he instructed reporters. Indeed, Trump grew to become the primary elected chief in trendy historical past to obtain two state go to invites from Britain.
While the invitation itself was a diplomatic gesture, it was additionally a calculated transfer by Starmer. He was conscious about Trump’s fascination with the British monarchy. During his 2019 go to, Queen Elizabeth II had hosted him at Buckingham Palace, an occasion Trump typically spoke of with admiration. Recently, he had even referred to himself in regal phrases, posting “LONG LIVE THE KING!” on social media after intervening in New York City’s congestion pricing plan. By invoking the crown, Starmer appeared to be enjoying to Trump’s sensibilities, hoping to easy over extra contentious discussions.
In some methods, the technique labored. Trump readily accepted the invitation, saying, “On behalf of our wonderful first lady, Melania, and myself, the answer is yes.” The second supplied a optimistic headline for Starmer, particularly within the UK press. Tabloids seized on the imagery: The Daily Mail dubbed it an “Unlikely Bromance,” whereas The Sun ran with “Special Delivery,” that includes a grinning Trump displaying the royal invitation.

Yet, regardless of the nice and cozy optics, Starmer left Washington with out securing his most important purpose—a agency US safety dedication for Ukraine. He had sought an American “backstop” to assist European forces within the occasion of a Trump-brokered peace settlement, however Trump gave little reassurance. Instead, he insisted that Russian President Vladimir Putin would honor any settlement reached.
However, Starmer did notch just a few tangible wins. Trump signaled assist for Britain relinquishing management of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius whereas sustaining a strategic army base there—a transfer that would neutralize criticism from Starmer’s home opponents. Additionally, the prime minister made headway on commerce, with Trump suggesting that Britain may keep away from the tariffs he was getting ready to impose on the European Union.
At the White House, Starmer remained cautious to keep away from any confrontations. When pressed by a reporter on Trump’s supposed curiosity in annexing Canada—a rustic the place King Charles remains to be the ceremonial head of state—Starmer sidestepped the controversy. “I think you’re trying to find a divide between us that doesn’t exist,” he mentioned, just for Trump to interject, “That’s enough, thank you,” shutting down additional questioning.
For Starmer, who as soon as championed the concept of abolishing the monarchy in his youth, the go to marked a outstanding evolution. Now a knight and prime minister, he discovered himself serving as a royal emissary, utilizing the facility of the crown to court docket favor with Trump. As he reclaimed the letter from the president, he reassured him that “His Majesty the King wants to make this even better than last time. So this is truly historic.”
The safety ensures Starmer sought remained elusive, however he returned to London having redefined his management picture. No longer only a technocrat battling financial woes, he emerged as a statesman keen to interact Trump on his personal phrases—if solely by invoking the burden of British royalty.