![\"Donald](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/3_WT-EXC.jpg\")
According to officials with knowledge of the talks, Sir Keir strategically mentioned Prince William\u2019s involvement, knowing it would resonate with Trump<\/p>\nThe Prince of Wales is expected to take a leading role during the US leader\u2019s September visit, capitalising on the Americans\u2019 well-documented admiration for the monarchy<\/p>\n
09:51, 18 Apr 2025Updated 13:12, 18 Apr 2025<\/p>\n
According to officials with knowledge of the talks, Sir Keir strategically mentioned Prince William\u2019s involvement, knowing it would resonate with Trump<\/p>\n
Donald Trump<\/a> is being seduced by the promise of royal<\/a> pageantry as Britain prepares to roll out Prince William<\/a> during a state visit aimed at securing a post-Brexit trade deal.<\/p>\n The Prince of Wales is expected to take a leading role during the US leader\u2019s September visit, capitalising on the Americans\u2019 well-documented admiration for the monarchy. The strategy comes as Sir Keir Starmer<\/a> seeks to reestablish close ties with the US and lay the groundwork for a new trade agreement following Trump\u2019s attack on world<\/a> trade. The Prime Minister personally extended the invitation during a meeting at the White House in February, during which he emphasised Britain\u2019s desire to \u201creset and elevate\u201d the transatlantic relationship. According to officials with knowledge of the talks, Sir Keir strategically mentioned Prince William\u2019s involvement, knowing it would resonate with Trump.<\/p>\n \u201cAs soon as the Prince of Wales was mentioned, Trump lit up,\u201d a White House source told the Mirror<\/a>. \u201cHe\u2019s always been captivated by the pomp and circumstance of the monarchy, and he sees William as a commanding figure.<\/p>\n “Trump will love it being laid on for him, and it will play heavily into his ego. Although a trade deal could be done between the UK and US in weeks, make no mistake, the royal carrot is being dangled.\u201d<\/p>\n The charm offensive is already showing signs of success. Trump, who has frequently praised the royal family<\/a>, was reportedly \u201ctouched\u201d by the invitation and described the idea of being honoured by the Crown as \u201cvery special.\u201d The bond between Trump and Prince William appeared to deepen earlier this year when the two men met briefly in Paris in December during a ceremony marking the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral.<\/p>\n Trump was seen engaging warmly with the Prince and later praised him in private. \u201cHe\u2019s a real leader. Very sharp. Impressive,\u201d he told aides aboard his flight back to Washington. \u201cYou can see why the people respect him. The monarchy\u2019s in good hands with that guy. He’s a good-looking guy. He looked really, very handsome. Some people look better in person? He looked great. He looked really nice, and I told him that.”<\/p>\n The pair also met afterwards at the British Embassy, with the then-president-elect describing the prince as a “good man” doing a “fantastic job.\u201d Trump has long been fascinated with the British royal family, a relationship he has cultivated publicly and privately.<\/p>\n During his first presidency, he took part in a state visit to the UK in 2019, where he was hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace<\/a> and attended a state banquet in his honour. He later described Her Majesty as \u201can incredible woman\u201d and \u201ca legend.\u201d<\/p>\n While his relationship with Prince Harry <\/a>and Meghan Markle<\/a> has been more contentious – calling the Duchess of Sussex \u201cnasty\u201d and criticising their break with the royal family – he has remained fond of the core monarchy.<\/p>\n Get Donald Trump updates straight to your WhatsApp! <\/p>\n As tension between the White House and Europe heats up, the Mirror has launched its very own US Politics WhatsApp community where you’ll get all the latest news from across the pond.<\/p>\n We’ll send you the latest breaking updates and exclusives all directly to your phone. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in.<\/p>\n All you have to do to join is click on this link<\/a><\/strong>, select ‘Join Chat’ and you’re in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group.<\/p>\n We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO JOIN<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI always liked the Queen, and now you have this young, strong leader in William,\u201d he told a conservative talk show earlier this year. \u201cHe\u2019s got it – the look, the discipline, the way he carries himself. America respects that.\u201d<\/p>\n According to advisers, Trump\u2019s affinity for royal ceremony and hierarchy makes the UK\u2019s current approach especially potent. By offering the full spectacle of a state visit – complete with a ceremonial welcome, a royal banquet, and high-profile meetings with Prince William – the UK is appealing directly to Trump\u2019s sense of grandeur.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no question he responds to prestige, status symbols, and powerful imagery,\u201d said one former Trump administration official. \u201cHaving Prince William front and centre during a visit, in full royal fashion, is something that will leave a mark on him and that\u2019s the point.\u201d<\/p>\n For the UK, the stakes are high. With Brexit<\/a> altering Britain\u2019s global trade landscape, a strong deal with the States remains a top strategic priority.<\/p>\n![\"Prince](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1_Donald-Trump-and-Prince-William-in-Paris-France.jpg\")
White House aides tell how Trump is extremely fond of Prince William<\/p>\n![\"Trump](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1_FILES-BRITAIN-POLITICS-QUEEN-DIPLOMACY.jpg\")
Trump during his 2019 State visit with the Queen(Image: POOL\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"US](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1_Sir-Keir-Starmer-visit-to-US.jpg\")
Sir Keir personally handed the letter to Donald Trump(Image: PA)<\/p>\n