MP meets King Charles at Windsor Castle months after 'boycotting' Donald Trump honour
Ed joined several famous faces yesterdayAn MP has met with King Charles at Windsor Castle, just months after boycotting a state dinner for Donald Trump.
Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Sir Ed Davey, opted not to attend the state banquet, held at Windsor Castle, back in September.
Ed Davey ‘boycotted’ Donald Trump’s state dinner
Back in September, Ed Davey, 60, was invited to a banquet at Windsor Castle in honour of Donald Trump.
Trump, 79, made history by becoming the first US President to attend two state visits in the UK.
Sir Ed was invited to the state banquet; however, he opted not to attend after being vocally critical of Trump in the past.
Writing in The Guardian at the time, he admitted he’d “thought and prayed long and hard” about whether he should attend.
‘Only way I can send a message’
“I have come to the conclusion that on this occasion I must refuse,” he said. He added that he was aware it was an “enormous honour” to be invited.
“To refuse an invitation like this goes against all of my instincts,” he said. His main reasoning for declining the invite was because “nobody” will take the opportunity to “remind” Trump that he has the “power to stop the horrifying starvation, death and captivities in Gaza”.
“Boycotting the state dinner is not something I ever wanted to do. But I believe it is the only way I can send a message to both Trump and Starmer that they cannot close their eyes and wish this away,” he said.
Dame Priti Patel slammed Ed’s decision at the time. “It’s an act of deep disrespect to His Majesty the king. It shows appalling judgement. America is our closest ally and security partner. And the world’s biggest economy,” she said.
She then continued, arguing he was “proving he is not a serious leader” as he seems “more interested in pathetic gesture politics”.
However, Ed told the BBC that he meant “no disrespect” and had written to the monarch personally.
Sir Ed Davey to visit Windsor Castle
Now, four months on from Trump’s state visit, Sir Ed met with the king at Windsor Castle.
He was pictured shaking hands with the monarch, as well as with his sister-in-law, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh.
The MP was one of many guests invited to the reception, welcomed by the king and queen. Other guests included Sir Keir Starmer and his wife, Lady Victoria Starmer, Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, and Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester.
Other notable guests included Coleen Rooney, Kate Garraway, Patricia Hodge, Pat McFadden, Rory Stewart, and Susan Hampshire.
The event was staged to recognise both paid and unpaid carers across the United Kingdom. It brought together people working in care, along with those who care for family members and friends without pay.
During the reception, Charles said that the two groups, as well as charities and organisations, are “the foundation upon which so many families and society itself depends”.
Read more: King Charles ‘saddened’ over ‘dreadful’ shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School
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