Trump Privately Fuming After King Charles Makes Other Leaders Feel ‘Special’ Too
www.thedailybeast.com
The photographs of the king standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky have peeved Trump.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/26592059

Summary

Donald Trump is upset after King Charles warmly welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Sandringham, making Trump’s own state visit invitation seem “less special.”

Trump’s allies allegedly asked the British government to intervene, but officials stated the king makes his own decisions.

Relations may also be strained by Trump’s criticism of Canada, where Charles remains head of state.

The U.K. government denied tensions, reaffirming strong U.S.-U.K. ties.

    • strict0768@lemmy.worldEnglish
      11·
      2 hours ago

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      Donald Trump‘s relationship with the U.K. has become frosty after King Charles showered Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky with praise at his country home, Sandringham—just days after Trump’s highly public Oval Office clash with the Ukrainian leader.

      The photographs of the king standing shoulder to shoulder with the Ukrainian leader have made Trump’s invite for a state visit to Britain—delivered with a flourish by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in front of TV cameras—seem “less special” to the U.S. president, the Daily Mail reported Sunday, citing diplomatic sources in Washington.

      Incredibly, the report suggests that Trump’s allies made their position known to the British government and were informed by civil servants that they could not “direct” King Charles to call off the Zelensky meeting.

      Trump and Charles’ relationship may also be worsened by a report in the London Sunday Times saying that the king is dismayed by Trump’s attacks on Canada—which still counts the king as its official head of state.

      The U.K. government denied to the Daily Mail that Trump was annoyed by the meetings, but an insider described as a “well-placed source” said: “Things definitely went a bit cool in Washington after Sandringham. We told them that the king makes his own decisions about who he meets.”

      A U.K. government spokesman told the Daily Mail: “We do not recognize these reports. We have been unequivocal about the importance of the U.S. as an ally of the U.K. No two countries are as closely aligned as ours on economic, defense, security and intelligence interests, and we share deep historic and cultural ties. We will continue to work hand-in-hand and look forward to welcoming President Trump.”

      The Sunday Times said Trump’s antagonism of Canada is “particularly on his mind” as the king prepares to make a speech tomorrow in which he will urge nations to “come together in the spirit of support and friendship” rather than focusing on “differences” in “uncertain times.”

      A source close to the king told the Sunday Times: “It is business as usual, but with everything on a heightened level of significance. Canada is particularly on his mind. Of course, he knows he has to be mindful of being the U.K. head of state and the head of state in Canada, as well as being the head of the Commonwealth. It does require delicate diplomacy, given that not everyone’s interests are aligned.”