Donald Trump’s Return to the White House Could Pose a New Challenge for King Charles III

With Donald Trump’s return to the White House, King Charles III finds himself at a complex juncture in his relationship with the U.S. president. This diplomatic landscape could bring new tensions and opportunities, especially as Trump’s past interactions with the British royals have not always been smooth. Though Trump has consistently expressed admiration for the British monarchy, past comments and clashing views on key policies create a potentially delicate path for King Charles and his family. Historically, Trump’s outspoken nature has strained relations between himself and members of the British royal family.

As per Newsweek, he has made headlines with incendiary remarks about Princess Diana and Princess Kate. In one instance, he speculated publicly about the possibility of courting Diana and controversially implied that Kate was responsible for paparazzi intrusion due to a topless photo scandal. These remarks led to reported outrage within the royal family, with King Charles and his sons expressing their displeasure, especially as King Charles has previously maintained ties with American donors who supported Trump.

According to Christopher Andersen's book The King: The Life of Charles III, "At every opportunity including Prince Harry's wedding reception, Charles took his wealthy and influential American friends aside and gently prodded them for information… Charles asked on several occasions how likely it was that President Trump would be impeached. 'Trump seems to be detached from reality, doesn't he? What a ghastly, awful man.'" Despite these personal tensions, Trump has consistently upheld a favourable view of the monarchy, something he sees as a symbol of British strength and tradition. Eric Trump, his son, has recently reiterated that the Trump family holds great respect for the British monarchy, calling it “one of the most beautiful things in the U.K.”

This mutual respect from Trump’s side could pave the way for a state visit and a renewed relationship between the U.S. and the U.K., with the royal family likely deployed in diplomatic efforts aimed at fortifying relations. Yet, political divides could complicate this relationship. King Charles, a strong advocate for climate action, has openly criticized policies opposing environmental conservation—a stance directly at odds with Trump’s expected push for increased fossil fuel production and potential withdrawal from international climate agreements. Moreover, For Prince Harry, Trump’s presidency could introduce personal concerns, given the Duke of Sussex’s life in the United States. As per Hello Magazine, Trump has previously suggested deportation as a response to Harry’s visa status, questioning whether the royal’s residency was justified. 

Furthermore, Trump has openly criticized Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to distance themselves from the royal duties and settle in California. Harry’s immigration status, possibly an O-1 visa for individuals with “extraordinary ability,”  could face increased scrutiny, especially since his past admissions about recreational drug use have fueled questions from conservative circles. Speculation about whether Harry and Markle might relocate to Portugal if U.S. residency becomes problematic has circulated, highlighting the unease surrounding Trump’s immigration policies and how they could impact the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.