In the end, the deal that had been discussed for weeks was sealed with a stroke of a royal pen.
Looking down at a letter from the King inviting him to Britain for a state visit, President Trump said: “He is a great gentleman. A great, great gentleman. Well, that is really nice. I must make sure his signature’s on that … That’s quite a signature, isn’t it? How beautiful. Beautiful man, a wonderful man, and we appreciate I’ve known him, gotten to know him very well actually. First term and now a second term.”
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Sir Keir Starmer, in the White House to hand-deliver the message, pointed out that the invitation was for an “unprecedented” second state visit and “really special” because it “has never happened before”.
Just in case there was any confusion at all as to just how far Britain was prepared to roll out the red carpet for the US president, Starmer added for good measure: “So this is a very special letter. I think the last state visit was a tremendous success. The King wants to make this even better than that, so this is a truly historic and unprecedented second state visit and he wants to talk that through with you.”
In what appeared to be a warm and lengthy letter, which Trump showed to the cameras, the King appeared to invite the president over for two separate visits.
The first, the King suggested, could be a more informal visit to either Balmoral Castle or Dumfries House in Scotland, during which they could discuss the finer points of a full state visit. The King suggests that this first visit might coincide with one of Trump’s trips to his Turnberry golf course on the west coast of Scotland.
Charles wrote: “There is much on both estates which I think you might find interesting and enjoy — particularly as my foundation at Dumfries House provides hospitality skills training for young people who often end up as staff in your own establishments!”
The King added: “Quite apart from this presenting an opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues of mutual interest, it would also offer a valuable chance to plan a historic second state visit to the United Kingdom. As you will know, this is unprecedented by a US president. That is why I would find it helpful for us to discuss, together, a range of options.”
Charles wrote that he remembered the president’s previous visits “with great fondness” and also touched on “the breadth of challenges across the world” and “the values which matter so much to us all”.
When pressed for an answer to the invitation, Trump replied “yes”, adding: “We look forward to being there and honouring the King and honouring your country.”
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Few in government would seek to underplay the importance of the royal family when it comes to maintaining the “special relationship” between the UK and US.
With a president who twice sided with Russia in votes marking the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine, the bond between the White House and the Palace could prove to be more important than ever.
In a display of both hard and soft power that is likely to appeal to Trump, Starmer had already pledged that Britain will increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027.
By presenting the letter from the King the prime minister added a touch of soft diplomacy.
These are two sides of the same coin.
Like many US presidents before him, Trump has made it clear that European powers should increase their defence spending rather than rely on the deep pockets of their American allies.
Lyndon Johnson, for example, never came for a state visit as he was so furious with Harold Wilson for refusing to send any military support to Vietnam.
More recently, Trump’s state visit to the UK in his first incarnation as president had a military theme. He joined the late Queen in June 2019 to attend the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
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The question now was not whether to invite him back but how to offer him a unique experience while he is here. Palace sources say that the details will be ironed out in due course.
Buckingham Palace is undergoing the final stages of a decade-long reservicing programme, which means that any state visit would probably take place at Windsor Castle.
It might be just as well, given the protests held in London against Trump during his last visit when a giant balloon caricaturing Trump as a baby sailed over the crowds.
There are also personal touches to note Trump’s Scottish ancestry, such as the invitation for an informal visit at a Scottish royal residence such as Balmoral.
It was at Balmoral that Queen Elizabeth II cemented her warm relationship with Dwight Eisenhower, following it up with handwritten notes to the president.
After a visit, the late Queen wrote: “Seeing a picture of you in today’s newspaper standing in front of a barbecue grilling quail reminded me that I had never sent you the recipe for the drop scones which I promised you at Balmoral. I now hasten to do so.”
Charles, like his mother before him, has maintained a pen-pal relationship with the White House, staying in touch with Trump since his first presidency and sending him a personal message after the attempt to assassinate him in July.
For Trump the appreciation is mutual and extends to the Prince of Wales, who the president has described as “a good man” doing “a fantastic job”.
It means that the Prince and Princess of Wales will be front and centre during the visit.
An ardent monarchist, Trump’s admiration for the British royal family is well documented.
During his election campaign the president was filmed leafing through a glossy photo album on Air Force One in which he proudly displayed his long association with the royal family.
Showing a picture in which he stood alongside the late Queen, he asked: “Who has images like this? And these were relationships, too.”
Pointing to Charles, he added: “Look, he’s now the King, here’s Charles with the guard. It’s a piece of history at the highest level.”
Trump and his entourage of many family members may also host members of the British royal family in the US in return.
One possible option would be for the King or Prince William to go to the US in 2026 for the 250th anniversary of independence.
While an official invitation has yet to be extended from the White House, Palace sources suggest that senior members of the royal family have “expressed a willingness to travel when and where required”, subject to the diary process and any other existing priorities.
While Starmer and Trump may not see eye to eye on every aspect of foreign policy, Starmer will be hoping that his money-can’t-buy offer of “a piece of history at the highest level” will seal the deal on a renewed friendship between two longstanding allies.
