What does the King's letter to Trump say?

 

What does the King's letter to Trump say?

 

The King says the UK and the US have "a vital role to play" - and mentions the president visiting golf courses.

 

Thursday 27 February 2025 22:34, UK

https://news.sky.com/story/what-does-the-kings-letter-to-trump-say-13318305

 

Usually, correspondence written by the King is not made public, but Donald Trump held up the letter in the Oval Office.

 

The letter, which was inviting him to the UK for a historic second state visit, was handed to him by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

 

Here is what we have been able to make out from the photos.

 

In the opening paragraph, the King references the "breadth of challenges across the world", and says the UK and the US have "a vital role to play".

 

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He goes on to say that he remembers "with great fondness" Mr Trump's visits to the UK during his "previous presidency".

 

The King mentions Mr Trump visiting the golf course the US president owns in Turnberry and then appears to suggest a visit to Balmoral or Dumfries House in Scotland at some stage - estates owned or run by the monarch.

 

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He writes: "There is much on both Estates which I think you might find interesting and enjoy - particularly as my Foundation at Dumfries House provides hospitality skills-training for young people who often end up as staff in your own establishments!

 

"Quite apart from this presenting an opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues of mutual interest, it would also offer a valuable chance to plan a historic second State Visit to the United Kingdom.

 

"As you will know, this is unprecedented by a US president. That is why I would find it helpful for us to be able to discuss, together, a range of options for location and programme content.

 

"In so doing, working together, I know we will further enhance the special relationship between our two countries, of which we are both so proud."

 

After reading the letter Mr Trump said: "That's a great, great honour. And that says at Windsor - that's really something."

 

Mr Trump, the first ever convicted felon to become US president, accepted the invitation from the King - making him the only elected political leader in modern times to be invited to two state visits by a British monarch.

 

Sky News contacted Buckingham Palace to ask when the second state visit might take place and they said: "When diaries allow."

 

Questions remain as to what form the state visit will take, who would accompany Mr Trump in his presidential party and whether this could include his close ally, billionaire businessman Elon Musk who is acting as his senior adviser on federal spending.

 

Mr Trump's first UK state visit took place during his initial term as president - when he was hosted by the late Queen in 2019.

 

Precedent for second-term US presidents who have already made a state visit is usually tea or lunch with the monarch at Windsor Castle, as was the case for George W Bush and Barack Obama.

 

President Trump has earlier separately said he would be visiting the UK in the "near future".

 

The Royal Family's soft power diplomacy is viewed as a way of engaging with the controversial billionaire-turned-politician, who is well known for his love of the monarchy.

 

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A stay at Balmoral in the Scottish Highlands could be seen as appealing to Mr Trump's heritage - his mother Mary Anne was born on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides and he has two golf resorts in the country.

 

Buckingham Palace's ongoing £369m refurbishment is focusing on its grandest state rooms, meaning it is unlikely to host any state visits for the next two years.

 

Balmoral - the turreted grey stone castle by the River Dee - is the King's private Scottish home which has served as a summer sanctuary for generations of monarchs since it was bought for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in 1852.

 

The only other US president to stay at Balmoral was Dwight D Eisenhower in the summer of 1959, but it was an informal trip rather than a state visit.

 

Mr Eisenhower had an affectionate relationship with the late Queen, who made a last minute decision to drive down to Balmoral's Lodge Gate to personally greet her guest when he inspected a guard of honour.