Whose Side Is the King On? Charles, Trump & the Crumbling Special Relationship

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are heading to Washington — but is this the most  politically charged royal state visit in modern history?

With the UK-US "Special Relationship" under unprecedented strain, a gunman at a White House dinner, the Falklands sovereignty row reigniting, and Donald Trump at his most unpredictable — what can Britain's greatest diplomat actually achieve?

In this exclusive interview, Dan Harris — former White House and Capitol Hill insider, now host of the Global Affairs Podcast  @OverHereOverThere    — gives the unfiltered American perspective on King Charles's high-stakes visit to Trump's Washington.

👉 What you'll find out in this episode:

- Why Americans are watching this state visit with "morbid fascination"
- Can King Charles actually repair the Special Relationship — or is it already too late?
- How the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner is casting a shadow over the visit
- Why BOTH sides of a divided America are desperately trying to work out: whose side IS the King on?
- What this means for Trump's poll numbers, the midterms — and the future of the UK-US alliance
- The Falklands, Iran, tariffs, Ukraine — and why this visit matters far beyond a royal photo op

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📻 Originally broadcast on  @BBC   Radio Gloucestershire with presenter Graham Rogers.

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Transcript

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It's 9 minutes past five. British and US flags flying in the streets around the White House this afternoon. This ahead of the state visit by King Charles and Queen Camilla, who are due to touch down in Washington in just a few hours from now. Buckingham Palace confirmed the trip would go ahead despite a gunman attempting to storm into a gala dinner attended by President Trump on Saturday. He has assured that the King will be very safe.

The special relationship between the two countries has, of course, been under strain because of the differences between Donald Trump and our Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, over the war with Iran. However, Cabinet Minister Emma Reynolds is confident this four-day visit will be a success.

"There is a disagreement ongoing because the Prime Minister has refused to be dragged in to the US's war with Iran. But it's important that the special relationship that is between our two countries, which has lasted all this time, endures. And the King is arguably the most experienced diplomat in the world. He's been doing these visits and engaging with foreign governments for a very long time."

The Liberal Democrats say the Prime Minister has displayed his "appalling judgment" by insisting the state visit to the US goes ahead, days after the Pentagon apparently questioned British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands. The leader of the Liberal Democrats, Sir Ed Davey, says the Prime Minister should advise the King to make it clear to Donald Trump that sovereignty over the Falklands is non-negotiable.

The leader of the Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, says it's not the King's responsibility to do this:

"The King is our head of state. He is going to the US for the 250th anniversary of American independence. This is an anniversary of historic significance, but we all know that His Majesty is above politics. The person who should be fighting for the Falkland Islands is the Prime Minister. The Falkland Islands are British, and I expect the government to be doing everything they can to make that clear to the US."

Graham Rogers: Let's talk more about this state visit. I want to bring on Dan Harris – from Cheltenham, originally from upstate New York. Dan has previously worked at the White House and on Capitol Hill. He is now host of the Global Affairs Podcast, Over Here, Over There. Dan, in America, what's the feeling in the States around the King and Queen's visit to Washington?

Dan Harris: Well, there is a kind of morbid fascination. Will this centuries-long close working relationship hold during this visit, given everything we just heard? Usually with visits like this, there's a revolving door of dignitaries – government leaders, politicians, celebrities. But the nation is divided. Everyone is taking note of how this visit will play out. Because this is King Charles. Early in Trump's administration, we saw a failing of leaders coming to persuade and cajole Trump – some would say pay him homage – to deter his wrath. But the King is rather special in people's eyes in the United States.

Graham Rogers: Is it fair to say there is an ongoing fascination with all things surrounding the royal family for Americans?

Dan Harris: Yeah, there always has been that. And I think that he has gained quite a bit of stature given his stance with Canada and how he came out in support of that relationship during the debate about Canada becoming the 51st state. So that, along with everything Starmer has been doing, and the other things with the tariffs and the war in Ukraine and Iran – this is a real critical test. And as your reporter said, which I agree totally, he is the preeminent diplomat in the world. He really is. And I have all faith that he'll handle this as best as possible. But you're also dealing with someone who's very erratic in behaviour and capricious in nature.

Graham Rogers: President Trump is notoriously, with respect, unpredictable. With that in mind, are you confident that the so-called special relationship could be repaired, fixed somewhat?

Dan Harris: I don't think it will impact things significantly. There might be a minor blip upwards – it might improve slightly – but I think by the time King Charles gets back, that political capital will just go away. I don't think with the nature of the Trump administration and Trump himself that once that door closes on the King's plane, he's on to something else. As far as how this will impact the special relationship, I don't think it'll impact it that much. But it is significant – probably more significant than any other leader in the world could be because of our historical relationship with the UK. The only thing that might compare in Trump's eyes is a visit from Putin or Xi from China. But as far as our best foot forward for Western democracies, you can't do better than King Charles.

Graham Rogers: Can we touch quickly on the events at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday night? What's the mood in America about what happened and how could this impact the King and Queen's visit?

Dan Harris: A lot of Americans I've talked to are still trying to understand it. What happened there? Obviously, shots were fired outside the room, I think on another floor – so it wasn't close – but still, something happened in the building. It is significant, but I don't think there'll be any problem with the King and Queen's security. What it really does is build apprehension. And that doesn't help any state visit. There's a little bit of fear around it. But overall, cross fingers, it should be fine given the amount of security detail that will be in place.

Graham Rogers: Donald Trump's popularity ratings in the polls in America are low. Do you think this visit is likely to boost his popularity, bearing in mind the midterm elections later this year?

Dan Harris: It'll help his base, just that little bit more. But the country is so divided that no, I don't think it'll help broadly. They're actually looking with microscopic detail at every word King Charles says, and they're going to read into it as to how he views the Trump administration. Everyone's looking for him to speak for their side. Both sides will be reading into it and trying to discern whose side the King is on. That's the feeling I get from talking to people there.

Graham Rogers: It's going to be an interesting one. Dan, as always, a pleasure to have you on the show. Dan Harris is the host of the Global Affairs Podcast, Over Here, Over There. Graham Rogers, BBC Radio Gloucestershire. I get the feeling we're going to be talking more about the King and Queen's visit to Washington over the next few days here on the programme.