King Charles III left Washington with the same goodwill from U.S. President Donald Trump that greeted him when he arrived three days earlier as Trump hailed him as "the greatest king,¡± adding "we need more people like that in our country.¡±
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was likely pleased that his gamble of sending the apolitical monarch into the politically charged White House had paid off, but the warmth between the U.S. and U.K. may not last. U.K. officials privately expressed skepticism the trip would ease Trump¡¯s disdain for Starmer, even as they celebrated what appeared to be a successful visit.
In the months before the visit, Trump had leveled near daily criticism of Britain and other European allies, mocking Starmer as weak for refusing to commit resources to the U.S.-led military campaign against Iran. For a moment at least, Washington has publicly reaffirmed its interest in preserving the so-called special relationship with the United Kingdom.
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