Charles in The Court of King Donald.

Can Charles' visit to the US smooth over the cracks that have appeared between Starmer and Trump? The US and UK's relationship remains strained, particularly over the recent Iran, Israel, US, War. Also, comments made by Trump about Starmer and the UK in general have soured relations between the two. And one has to ask, is there even a special relationship any more between the two countries? As one pundit said, Israel has replaced the UK in a special relationship. The UK and the US have much in common, and yet the US looks towards a Jewish nation in the Middle East to stand shoulder to shoulder with. More so, since Trump threw his lot in with a wanted criminal and fascist Benjamin Netanyahu, launching war after war. So Bibi does not have to face prosecution for corruption at home and for war crimes at the ICC or International Court.

Trump may not be best friends with Starmer right now, but he and the King seem to get on. Trump's mum is of Scottish origin, and Trump referenced in the presence of the king that, as a boy, his mother always told him how much she admired the British Royal family. And one anecdote that seemed to make the king squirm in his chair or laugh, or both as he sat by Trump's podium, was how his mother had taken a shine to the young Charles.

Charles is the first King of the UK to address both the American government and opposition. Prime Ministers have done so. The most famous was Winston Churchill in his famous "Iron Curtain" speech. Referring to Eastern Europe, which had been taken into the orbit of the Soviet Union. Many thought Charles' speech, whether you are a Royalist or not, was well written and contained gentle pushbacks against the current US government. Also, gentle reminders that the UK had always stood with the US. And he mentioned the Magna Carta, which contains clear references to the limits of power and abuse of power. Written at the time about the despot King John, but in referencing this document, Charles might have been warning Trump not to be a latter-day King John.

However, some historians would say that Trump, in his actions and statements, has already become a latter-day King John. Trump has also been compared to Henry 8th another despotic English King. Also, to some power-mad Roman Emperors.

Charles said the only time Article 5 had been invoked was when the US was attacked on 9/11/2001, or as we say in the UK, 11/09/2001 by Al Qaeda. That was a gentle pushback and reminder that the UK and other NATO members stood with the US in George Bush's "War on Terror". This was in clear reply to Trump's statement, "What has NATO ever done for us"?

Charles also mentioned the state of the planet as a result of human activity. Like the melting of the polar caps, flora and Fauna degradation, fossil fuels, and other environmental issues something dear to the king's heart. This will be interpreted as another pushback on Trump's mantra: "Drill, baby, drill". Other issues he mentioned were that NATO should remain united and that NATO should continue to support Zelenskyy as he struggles against "Vlad the Invader". Charles also said that what America does impacts the world, referencing the recent Iran, Israel, and US conflict, still held by a thread in a tenuous ceasefire. And with that, the US should be mindful of its actions. Charles also mentioned the importance of trade, a clear reminder to Trump of tariffs and how it affects the US and the countries the US does trade with. With reference to Trump's "Peace through strength again, Charles said the world should not go to war. But turn swords into ploughshares. Echoing Pope Leo's words, a fellow American with whom Trump is at odds.

On the other side, Charles praised Trump's bravery (really?), which would be a baum to Trump's huge personality after Charles' subtle pushbacks in his speech directed at Trump and his policies. Charles referenced history, remarking on the US's 250th Anniversary as a nation. Trump mentioned that Charles was a descendant of the British King George, with whom the Americans fought a war to gain independence. The US and UK relationship is one of ups and downs. It is a clear vision that the US and UK have much in common, but even between relatives, as many Americans are of British descent, things do not always run smoothly. As if evidence was needed of that, the clear spat between Starmer and Trump, currently.

Donald Trump clearly loves the pomp and circumstance of a royal visit. One wonders if Trump himself would like to be King Donald of America. However, the American Constitution is clearly designed not to allow that. The US could have become a monarchy instead of a republic when George Washington was offered a crown. But he refused and preferred to be America's first president. After all, the very reason the US fought Britain was to free itself of kings. Not to have one of their own imposed on them. Trump would do well to bear this in mind going forward.