King Charles 'doesn’t want to hang out with Donald Trump' amid UK state visit
The US President will return to the UK in September
King Charles isn’t particularly enthused about spending time with Donald Trump in September, it has been claimed.
The US President, under pressure to release investigation files relating to late convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein after promising to do so while campaigning last year, is currently in the UK. He has been playing golf in Scotland while visiting his luxury Turnberry resort. And the 79-year-old has also met with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
However, even though King Charles is currently in Scotland himself, the monarch is not expected to spend any time with Mr Trump on this occasion. And according to ITV journalist Robert Peston, the king may only be rolling out the red carpet during the upcoming state visit as “a favour” for the PM.
What is King Charles doing in Scotland?
The king has been in Caithness in the north of Scotland to mark a series of anniversaries linked to the nuclear industry.
He met the crew of the Pacific Heron, a second-generation purpose-built nuclear transport vessel. And the king also unveiled a plaque for the ship, as well as meeting local sea cadets and Royal National Lifeboat Institution volunteers from the area.
However, it seems he won’t be meeting up with Mr Trump, believed to be only a couple of hundred miles away.
King Charles’ ‘view on Donald Trump’
ITV news anchor Tom Bradby, discussing the state visit with Mr Preston, said it could prove a “big test” for King Charles.
Mr Peston replied: “Just to be absolutely clear, the king – as I think everyone knows – was somewhat reluctant to invite Trump over. But he did it as a favour to a new Prime Minister who said it was very much in Britain’s interest.”
The king was somewhat reluctant to invite Trump over.
He continued by claiming: “There are huge numbers of substantive issues which any Prime Minister could have long conversations with Trump about. But Trump has sort of made clear when talking about the state visit that he wants to have fun. He’s looking forward to it as a bit of a two-day weekend break!”
Read more: Dates for Donald Trump’s UK state visit with King Charles announced
He went on: “The problem is, my sort of sources in the palace say… the king basically takes the view – of course, he’ll give him a state dinner, and be polite and charming – but he doesn’t want to hang out with Donald Trump for two days. He basically thinks this is the Prime Minister’s initiative. And somehow Keir Starmer has to fill those two days, apart from the big ceremonial things like the state dinner.”
Royal Insider has approached Buckingham Palace for comment.
What do you think of this story? Let us know by leaving a comment on our Royal Insider Facebook page.
