By GB News (Politics) | Created at 2024-12-27 22:42:32 | Updated at 2024-12-28 14:57:05
16 hours ago
Donald Trump is set to become the first ever elected leader to receive two state visits to Britain, it has emerged.
Downing Street and the Foreign Office are preparing to offer the incoming US president an invitation once he returns to the White House in just over three weeks.
The unprecedented move, revealed by The Telegraph, is part of Sir Keir Starmer's strategy to use Trump's admiration for the monarchy to forge a close personal relationship between the Republican President-elect and Britain.
The invitation is being prepared with the backing of Buckingham Palace - though the landmark trip would be unlikely to happen until at least 2026, given King Charles' busy schedule.
The invitation is being prepared with the backing of Buckingham Palace - though the landmark trip would be unlikely to happen until at least 2026
PA
Earlier this year, Sir Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy met Trump for a private dinner
PA
In footage released earlier this year, Trump was seen showing off a photo album of royal meetings.
"This is with Queen Elizabeth, who was fantastic, by the way," Trump said in the clip.
He also praised King Charles, calling him "a really good person" and adding: "Camilla is fantastic. You get to know them so well."
Trump's first state visit in 2019 was hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II and was presented as a celebration of the Anglo-American "special relationship".
And earlier this year, Sir Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy met Trump for a private dinner, which Downing Street cited as evidence of improving relations in the face of a set of strongly-worded criticisms of the former and future President from Labour's top brass.
Prince William's recent meeting with Trump at the Notre-Dame reopening in Paris was labelled 'really wonderful' by the President-elect
PA
The dinner conversation reportedly included Trump mentioning his 2019 state visit, during which he was accompanied by his wife Melania and adult children.
But a more recent royal handshake has left British officials encouraged.
Prince William's recent meeting with Trump at the Notre-Dame reopening in Paris was labelled "really wonderful" by the President-elect, who joked that the future King was "a very handsome man".
The Prime Minister's chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, held secret talks with Trump's team this month to strengthen ties.
And despite calls for Nigel Farage to take some form of trans-Atlantic role, Starmer has appointed Lord Mandelson as his new US ambassador - seen as a deliberate political appointment to build links with the White House.
No formal announcement on a second state visit will be made until Trump returns to office.
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