Americano Why King Charles should still visit Trump
Mar 18, 2026
Robert Hardman, journalist and royal author known for biographies of the British royal family, discusses whether King Charles should proceed with a US state visit. He covers the history of controversial state visits and why Donald Trump is drawn to royal pageantry. Timing around the US 250th anniversary and how the monarch navigates sensitive topics are also explored.
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Cancelling The Visit Would Hurt British Diplomacy
- Calling off the King's US visit would be a major diplomatic mistake.
- Robert Hardman says the Americans expect and want the visit tied to the 250th anniversary timing, so unilateral postponement would send a bad signal.
Monarchy Is Britain's Most Visible Influence On Trump
- The monarchy remains one of Britain's few meaningful levers with the US because it matters culturally and personally to leaders like Trump.
- Hardman argues Trump compartmentalises politicians and the monarchy and views Britain fondly through the royal prism.
Trump Enjoyed Carriage Procession And Strict Protocol
- Donald Trump enjoys ceremonial trappings and followed protocol closely on his UK state visits.
- Hardman recalls Trump accepting a carriage procession at Windsor and behaving meticulously during his 2019 and 2023 visits.