Operation Churchill: Inside secret plans for King to woo Trump on second state visit

Operation Churchill: Inside secret plans for King to woo Trump on second state visit



Posted by theipaper

3 comments

  1. Sir Keir Starmer scored a surprise diplomatic coup in February when [he handed Donald Trump a signed letter from King Charles](https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/operation-balmoral-king-trump-diet-coke-3559787?srsltid=AfmBOooXCnLjGQoEmQG6RHTMfA7kGzQWIdS3NwJz9sgj8XkKN42kV9w6&ico=in-line_link) inviting the mercurial US President on an unprecedented second state visit to the UK.

    Trump was visibly delighted at the piece of Oval Office theatre as the world watched, seeing for itself the effectiveness of Britain’s [soft-power super weapon](https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/diplomat-king-charles-is-uk-soft-power-weapon-fix-trump-damage-3620593?srsltid=AfmBOooJAhgbj6v3e_sDGs-8W-Z2K8oMBx7Gn1h7_srdMY5ouAIISOsa&ico=in-line_link) – the Royal Family.

    That, however, was the easy bit. The problem now facing officials, functionaries and politicians is how to keep the President entertained on a second visit when he’s done it all before.

    The date of the visit is not yet finalised but is likely to take place in the autumn. Backroom wrangling over where the Trump stays, does or does not visit, and what he sees are ongoing – but *The i Paper* can reveal exclusive details of the state visit planning, including that Scotland’s Trump fans – and perhaps detractors hoping to demonstrate – are likely to be disappointed.

    By their nature, state visits are the “swankiest” invitations Britain can bestow, according to Lord Simon MacDonald, former head of the Foreign Office.

    “Very few countries have the pulling power of the House of Windsor,” he says.

    These are grand occasions, using the best of everything, from jewellery, china and silverware to marching bands and military pomp.

    So how do you top the best for a man who is notorious for building foreign policy on personal relationships and flattery, and who Britain needs to woo if it wants to [avoid trade tariffs](https://inews.co.uk/news/king-charles-golf-keys-unlocking-trade-deal-trump-3684219?srsltid=AfmBOor06M9ILkyn0PcHjZ1h_Gs2W2gg9ZUNWk2pIseso0-gKnc9Hn1E&ico=in-line_link) and keep inside the American defensive shield?

  2. I don’t like this being too cosy with trump, I understand not pissing him off or attacking him, but I don’t think if we are being genuine in our values we should be fawning over him.

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