The British royal family has historically played a vital role in strengthening ties between the United States and United Kingdom, keeping the so-called \u201cspecial relationship\u201d between the two countries alive. <\/p>\n
And as Elon Musk, one of US President-elect Donald Trump\u2019s closest allies, scraps with the UK\u2019s government, some believe Britain could be making more use of one of its oldest diplomatic assets. Even this week, Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, visited the US on behalf of the King to pay his respects to former President Jimmy Carter, who died aged 100 in December. <\/p>\n
It could therefore be of some comfort to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is keen to build trust with the Trump administration, that the incoming president has a soft spot for the clan, particularly the late Queen Elizabeth II. <\/p>\n
In 2019, following his last state visit to the UK, Trump delivered a flurry of compliments directed at members of the family. \u201cI have such a great relationship, and we were laughing and having fun,\u201d Trump told Fox News just after the trip to London, when he met the late Queen. <\/p>\n
Trump particularly admires the family\u2019s celebrity and the way they represent a more traditional social authority, according to Ed Owens, a royal historian and author of \u201cAfter Elizabeth: Can the Monarchy Save Itself?\u201d <\/p>\n
More recently, Trump made equally flattering comments about the heir to the British throne, Prince William, whom he met in Paris at the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in December. \u201cHe\u2019s doing a fantastic job,\u201d Trump said of William, calling him a \u201cgood man.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cI had a great talk with the prince,\u201d Trump later told The New York Post. \u201cHe\u2019s a good-looking guy\u2026 He looked really very handsome last night. Some people look better in person. He looked great. He looked really nice, and I told him that.\u201d <\/p>\n
Trump\u2019s gushing remarks about William \u2013 although perhaps not the most typical display of diplomacy \u2013 will be welcomed by those concerned about the future of UK-US relations, particularly as prominent figures in the governing Labour party have previously hit out against the divisive incoming president. <\/p>\n
\u201cKeir Starmer and Donald Trump don\u2019t see eye to eye on everything, or at least they\u2019re not going to see eye to eye on everything,\u201d Owens said, adding that the royals \u201ccan, in a way, distract from that fact.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cThe fact that (Trump) is deferential to the British royal family, impressed by them, I think that bodes well for the UK, if the UK can use the royals strategically,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Royal commentator and author Sally Bedell Smith agreed that the family can \u201cconceivably play a role in softening the atmosphere, which is pretty tense right now.\u201d <\/p>\n
This \u201csoft power\u201d influence is nothing new. Generations of royals have been helping to keep the bond between the UK and US tight. <\/p>\n
Famously, in the early 1960s, as the youthful John F. Kennedy came into power, the royal family helped the UK to strengthen its links with this \u201cnew, dynamic, exciting America\u201d at a time when Britain felt like a \u201cslightly outdated place,\u201d Owens added. <\/p>\n
However, in the modern age there is little doubt that Trump and key members of the royal clan will not agree on everything, notably the need to take action to tackle climate change. <\/p>\n
Both Prince William and his father, King Charles III, have been vocal advocates for climate action. Meanwhile, Trump successfully campaigned on a three-word energy policy \u2013 \u201cDrill, baby, drill\u201d \u2013 and recently said that he wants a policy where no windmills are being built across the country. <\/p>\n
These strong views will not stop the royals speaking out about issues they believe in, Owens said, but there is a limit to their influence. \u201cI don\u2019t imagine that the King is going to give up, he\u2019s going to continue to emphasize the importance of (climate action),\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut he will do so delicately. He knows that he has no serious role to play in American politics,\u201d Owens added. <\/p>\n
While the British royals may have no official role in US politics, the soft power they yield will help to smooth a potentially bumpy road between Washington and London, and is a vital part of the UK government\u2019s strategy for ensuring the bonds between the two countries remain strong. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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