King Charles is on the brink of starting his highly anticipated state visit to the United States, where he is scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump.
The visit, which has stirred controversy, coincides with Trump’s recent verbal assaults on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other NATO allies for not supporting his actions in Iran. Trump criticized Starmer, comparing him unfavorably to Winston Churchill, and belittled the Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers as ‘toys.’
Beyond the political tensions, another potential issue looms as Trump has clashed online with Charles’ estranged son, Prince Harry, and daughter-in-law, Meghan Markle. The feud escalated when Harry and Meghan relocated to the US in 2020, with Trump insisting that their security expenses should not be covered by the US government.
Despite initial concerns, it was clarified that Harry and Meghan had no intention of seeking government-funded security and would cover the costs themselves. The strained relations between Trump and the Sussexes intensified during the 2020 US election campaign, where Harry and Meghan indirectly expressed support for Joe Biden, prompting Trump’s disapproval.
Subsequently, Trump continued to criticize Harry and Meghan, casting doubt on their decisions and relationship. The tensions further escalated when Harry was invited to King Charles’ Coronation, prompting Trump to express surprise at the invitation, citing past disagreements.
In a separate development, Harry faced scrutiny over his US visa due to revelations in his memoir about substance use. This led to a legal challenge seeking disclosure of Harry’s visa application information, with Trump criticizing the Biden administration for protecting Harry.
Amid the ongoing conflicts, Harry made a public statement defending NATO troops who served in Afghanistan, a subject on which he had personal experience. Trump’s disparaging remarks about the NATO troops prompted Harry to emphasize the sacrifices made by allies in the conflict.
As King Charles prepares to embark on his US visit, Trump’s comments dismissing Harry’s calls for action in Ukraine have further strained the relationship. Harry’s advocacy for peace and diplomacy in Ukraine has drawn both praise and criticism, highlighting the ongoing tensions between the royal family and the former US president.