UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to Washington was meant to secure key diplomatic wins, particularly a firm US security guarantee for Ukraine. However, it was King Charles III’s presence—albeit in the form of a letter—that defined the optics of the meeting with President Donald Trump.
From the moment Starmer handed Trump an embossed letter carrying a personal invitation from the king for a second state visit to Britain, the political gravity of the moment shifted. What was expected to be a high-stakes discussion on global security transformed into something more reminiscent of a royal courtly exchange, where ceremony took precedence over hard policy.
Trump, visibly pleased, examined the letter, signed “Charles R” in a bold, striking script. “A beautiful man, a wonderful man,” he remarked, admiring the king’s signature before adding, “That’s quite a signature, isn’t it?” Starmer, playing the role of messenger, emphasized the historical nature of the invitation. “This is really special. This has never happened before,” he told reporters. Indeed, Trump became the first elected leader in modern history to receive two state visit invitations from Britain.
While the invitation itself was a diplomatic gesture, it was also a calculated move by Starmer. He was acutely aware of Trump’s fascination with the British monarchy. During his 2019 visit, Queen Elizabeth II had hosted him at Buckingham Palace, an event Trump often spoke of with admiration. Recently, he had even referred to himself in regal terms, posting “LONG LIVE THE KING!” on social media after intervening in New York City’s congestion pricing plan. By invoking the crown, Starmer seemed to be playing to Trump’s sensibilities, hoping to smooth over more contentious discussions.
In some ways, the strategy worked. Trump readily accepted the invitation, saying, “On behalf of our wonderful first lady, Melania, and myself, the answer is yes.” The moment provided a positive headline for Starmer, especially in the UK press. Tabloids seized on the imagery: The Daily Mail dubbed it an “Unlikely Bromance,” while The Sun ran with “Special Delivery,” featuring a grinning Trump displaying the royal invitation.
Yet, despite the warm optics, Starmer left Washington without securing his most critical goal—a firm US security commitment for Ukraine. He had sought an American “backstop” to support European forces in the event of a Trump-brokered peace settlement, but Trump gave little reassurance. Instead, he insisted that Russian President Vladimir Putin would honor any agreement reached.
However, Starmer did notch a few tangible wins. Trump signaled support for Britain relinquishing control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while maintaining a strategic military base there—a move that could neutralize criticism from Starmer’s domestic opponents. Additionally, the prime minister made headway on trade, with Trump suggesting that Britain might avoid the tariffs he was preparing to impose on the European Union.
At the White House, Starmer remained careful to avoid any confrontations. When pressed by a reporter on Trump’s supposed interest in annexing Canada—a country where King Charles is still 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 said, only for Trump to interject, “That’s enough, thank you,” shutting down further questioning.
For Starmer, who once championed the idea of abolishing the monarchy in his youth, the visit marked a remarkable evolution. Now a knight and prime minister, he found himself serving as a royal emissary, using the power of the crown to court 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 security guarantees Starmer sought remained elusive, but he returned to London having redefined his leadership image. No longer just a technocrat struggling with economic woes, he emerged as a statesman willing to engage Trump on his own terms—if only by invoking the weight of British royalty.