King Charles III Congratulates President Trump on Inauguration, Reflects on Special Relationship

The King's Message and the Special Relationship

Buckingham Palace has announced that King Charles III has sent a personal message of congratulations to President Donald Trump on his inauguration. The message reflects on the enduring special relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States.

The King's private written words were delivered to mark Mr. Trump being sworn into office as US president for a second time. This comes after Mr. Trump overcame impeachments, criminal indictments, and a pair of assassination attempts to win another term in the White House.

While no plans are currently in the diary, it is understood that all options remain possible for an incoming state visit by Mr. Trump to the UK and a visit by Charles to the US. 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 final decision resting with the Government.

Mr. Trump has a strong affinity for the Royal Family and recently met the Prince of Wales while visiting France for the ceremonial opening of Notre Dame. The US leader boasted he had “automatic chemistry” with the late Queen and has hailed the King as a “really wonderful guy.”

The King and Queen may be invited to Washington next year to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the US Declaration of Independence, although the Palace has not yet announced any incoming or outgoing state visits.

Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer will hold talks with Donald Trump in Washington within weeks as the “special relationship” faces strains under the incoming president. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said Sir Keir would seek early talks with Mr. Trump on a range of issues including trade, the war in Ukraine, and the fragile ceasefire in the Middle East.

Relations between the Trump camp and Sir Keir’s party descended into a legal row after Labour volunteers campaigned for Kamala Harris during her election defeat. However, Mr. Lammy has sought to build bridges with the incoming president’s allies, and the Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister met Mr. Trump in New York in September.

Prime ministers have historically not attended the inauguration of a new president, but have sought to be early visitors to the White House. A number of UK political figures have gathered in Washington DC ahead of the inauguration – the Government will be represented by outgoing ambassador to the US Dame Karen Pierce. Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage are among the UK political figures in Washington ahead of Monday’s ceremonies.