'Special relationship': Donald Trump accepts King's invitation for unprecedented visit to UK

U.S. President Donald Trump has accepted an invitation from King Charles III of the United Kingdom to visit Britain. The invitation was conveyed to Trump by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a visit to the White House. This visit underscores the enduring importance of the US-UK relationship.

Upon accepting the invitation, Trump will become the first U.S. president to be hosted twice for a state visit by the British monarch during his time in office. Starmer handed the King's letter to the U.S. President shortly before holding talks with Trump in the Oval Office on Thursday (Friday AEST). Such a gesture highlights the close diplomatic ties between the two nations.

The King invited Trump to visit Balmoral Castle, the royal estate and castle in Scotland and the late Queen Elizabeth II's favorite residence, or Dumfries House in Turnberry, Scotland, near the U.S. President's golf club. The BBC reported parts of the royal letter. These locations offer unique settings for potential discussions and engagements.

The letter stated, "In addition to providing an opportunity to discuss a range of issues of shared interest, it would provide a valuable opportunity to plan what would be a historic second State Visit to the United Kingdom." "As you know, this would be unprecedented for a U.S. President." "I therefore thought it would be helpful if we were able to discuss together the various options for locations and program content. By working together, I am confident that we will further strengthen the special relationship between our two countries, of which we are both so proud." The letter was signed "Yours most sincerely, Charles." This invitation reflects the deep-rooted bond between the United States and the United Kingdom.

Trump was hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II during his first visit to the UK while in office in 2018. Starmer's visit to the White House was an attempt to persuade U.S. President Donald Trump that lasting peace in Ukraine could only be achieved if Kyiv and European leaders were involved in negotiations with Moscow. At a press conference after the meeting, Trump said it was possible to reach a peace deal to end Russia's war in Ukraine, but it had to happen quickly or it might fail. "If it doesn't happen rapidly, it may not happen at all," Trump said alongside Starmer. The urgency of the situation demands swift and decisive action.

Trump has already spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss his vision for ending the three-year conflict. He will meet with Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday (Saturday AEST) to further discuss the prospects. Trump praised Zelenskyy's performance in resisting the Russian invasion and said they would have a "very good meeting." But he did not answer a question about whether he would apologize for calling him a dictator earlier this month. "We have a lot of respect for him. I have a lot of respect for him. We gave him a lot of equipment and a lot of money, but they fight very bravely." These discussions are crucial for shaping the future of the conflict.

Starmer's visit, which came days after French President Emmanuel Macron's visit, reflects growing concern in much of Europe that Trump's aggressive moves to end Russia's war in Ukraine indicate a willingness to concede too much to Russian President Vladimir Putin. This concern highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics at play.

— Associated Press reporting