A potential clash looms between King Charles III and Prince Harry, as their differing attitudes towards President Donald Trump become increasingly apparent.
The 76-year-old monarch has been a crucial ally in British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's efforts to court the U.S. president, particularly in matters concerning Ukraine and tariffs. In a significant move, Charles extended an invitation to Trump for a second state visit, a privilege not granted to previous U.S. presidents.
However, according to Newsweek, Trump's popularity in the U.K. is notably low, with a recent survey indicating a 73 percent disapproval rating. This raises concerns that the king's diplomatic overtures might not sit well with a significant portion of the British populace.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, Prince Harry recently made a veiled criticism of Trump and his Silicon Valley allies, signaling a shift towards idealism rather than realism.
Charles' stance is largely dictated by his royal role, which necessitates setting aside personal opinions in favor of the nation's interests. This typically involves steering clear of controversy. However, the upheaval Trump has introduced to international diplomacy has thrust Charles into the center of a significant diplomatic crisis.
Trump's fondness for the monarchy has been leveraged by Starmer to foster a warmer relationship between the president and Britain. This is in stark contrast to the recent volatile interaction between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. During a meeting in the Oval Office, Starmer presented Trump with the king's invitation, emphasizing the unprecedented nature of the gesture and its symbolic representation of the strong bond between the two nations.
Trump responded warmly, praising Charles as a "great gentleman" and expressing anticipation for the visit. The king's staff reportedly have positive memories of Trump's previous visit, and there is no doubt about the sincerity of the king's cordiality.
However, Trump's unpopularity in Britain spans across the political spectrum. A YouGov poll conducted in February revealed that only 22 percent of U.K. adults liked him, while 73 percent disliked him. Even among Conservative Party voters, 63 percent expressed disapproval. The only group to register a positive net approval rating for Trump were those who supported the right-leaning Reform Party.
Despite the strong opposition to Trump within his own party, Labour leader Starmer has adopted a realist approach, prioritizing Britain's foreign policy interests. This pragmatic stance is not universally accepted, with some Brits advocating for public figures to take a stand against Trump.
This divergence in opinion could potentially plunge the monarchy into a major backlash, particularly among idealistic young people, a demographic with which Charles is already struggling to connect.
In contrast, Prince Harry seems to be gradually adopting an idealist stance against not only Trump but also influential figures in Silicon Valley, such as Elon Musk. However, it's worth noting that Harry and Meghan Markle refrained from participating in the 2024 presidential election campaign, a move that may have been beneficial given Trump's recent confirmation that he has no plans to deport Harry over drug use allegations detailed in the prince's book.
Harry hinted at a return to his earlier idealistic stance during a speech at the Upfront Summit in Los Angeles, criticizing leaders across various sectors for prioritizing personal gain over service to others. However, he stopped short of delving deeper into the issue, leaving room for future commentary.
If Harry continues to openly oppose Trump in high-profile speeches, he could end up contradicting his father's realist stance. Despite Harry's unpopularity in Britain, this could potentially exacerbate the risks associated with the king's diplomatic overtures towards Trump.
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