US president Donald Trump is a big fan of the British royal family – but it’s not completely clear how they feel about him. We take a look at their past ups and downs
Donald Trump is on his way to Britain tomorrow for a historic second state visit, as the Daily Star revealed this week. He is due to meet the King and Queen – as well as Prince William and Princess Kate – over a banquet at Windsor Castle.
It’s not the first time the Orange Manbaby has rubbed shoulders with royalty. And his previous encounters haven’t always gone smoothly…
Battle royal?
The US president claims to know King Charles “very well,” calling him a “beautiful man.” But their relationship hasn’t always been so cosy.
According to The King: The Life of Charles III, by Christopher Andersen, the monarch was furious when Trump weighed in on photographs published of Kate Middleton sunbathing topless in 2012.
He wrote online that she had “only herself to blame,” apparently prompting a “torrent of profanity” from her father-in-law.
What a winker
Queen Camilla is the consummate stateswoman when it comes to meeting dignitaries.
But she stole the show during Trump’s 2019 visit when footage emerged of her posing for photos with the US leader – before turning to give the camera a sassy wink.
It’s not clear what she meant by the gesture, apparently intended for a member of staff. For his part, Trump has praised the Queen as “funny,” “smart” and “quick”.
Don’t say it with flowers
Always the charmer, the Tangoed tyrant openly had the hots for Princess Diana after her 1996 divorce.
Writing in 1997 book The Art of the Comeback, he claimed his only romantic regret was the fact he “never had the opportunity to court Lady Diana Spencer.”
It wasn’t for want of trying though. He is said to have bombarded the princess with bouquets, until she confided in pal Selina Scott: “He gives me the creeps.”
Queen drama
The president was outraged last year when a book claimed the late Queen Elizabeth found him “very rude.”
According to A Voyage Around The Queen, by Craig Brown, when they met in 2018 she “particularly disliked the way he couldn’t stop looking over her shoulder, as though in search of others more interesting.”
But Trump called the account “totally false.” He added: “I heard I was her favourite president. She would say it to a lot of people.”
Fit for a prince
Famously a ‘looker’ himself, Donald Trump had some comforting words for Prince William after a meeting last December.
He called the heir to the throne “really, very handsome,” adding: “Some people look better in person.”
Appearances aside, the Prince of Wales seemed to get on famously with the US leader at the Paris reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral. Kensington Palace said Trump shared some “warm and fond memories” of the late Queen.
No line whip
The POTUS has never been shy about airing his views on Prince Harry or wife Meghan Markle.
He’s claimed the Duke of Sussex is “whipped” by the ex-actress, accusing her of leading him “around by his nose.”
Speaking in February, he confirmed there were no plans to deport the couple, now living in California, despite drugs admissions in Harry’s book Spare.
Trump added: “I’ll leave him alone. He’s got enough problems with his wife. She’s terrible.”
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