King Charles III at Trump's court to re-establish 'special relationship' with the US

According to a Pentagon memo, the US administration, in order to irritate London, would also be prepared to review its neutrality over the Falkland Islands or Malvinas, disputed between the UK and Argentina. A rumour, later denied by the US, that offended British veterans of the 1982 war that broke out after Argentina invaded the islands. Trump had already caused deep disquiet in the British armed forces with his unfounded comments about their role 'only far from the front line' in Afghanistan.

King Charles with his savoir faire and long experience in diplomacy will therefore have to ease tensions and rebuild a fractured relationship. The British ambassador to Washington, Christian Turner, said he is convinced that the visit will serve to 'strengthen and revive the special relationship'.

The good thing is that Trump is notoriously a great admirer of the British royal family and has called King Charles 'a great man'. The hope is therefore that, honoured by the visit, the US President will not make any unexpected and untimely statements that could embarrass the King. Aware of how unpredictable Trump is, the organisers of the visit have carefully avoided live meetings in front of the cameras that could turn into diplomatic incidents. There will therefore only be 'photo opportunities' of the various climaxes of the visit, such as the state banquet in honour of the King.

The visit will begin with a private meeting and tea at the White House between King Charles III and Queen Camilla and President Trump with his wife Melania. The King will then be only the second British monarch in history to deliver a speech to the US Congress, in which he is expected to recall the history, sacrifices and values that unite the two countries. The royal couple will then continue on to New York, where they will attend a ceremony commemorating the victims of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks, before ending their trip in Virginia.