""I was just notified by letter from King Charles that he's extended, through the prime minister, a historic second state visit to the United Kingdom. And that's a great honor because it's never happened before," Trump said at the time, brandishing the invitation."
""It seems almost crude, but it's almost exactly that the U.K. knows that its leverage in its soft power when it comes to Trump comes through the royal family he has a long affiliation and a kind of affinity to the royal family," said Evie Aspinall, director of the British Foreign Policy Group, a London-based think-tank."
""She was a big fan of the queen, I have to tell you," Trump told podcaster Miranda Devine in July."
""And anytime the queen was on television, my mother liked watching. She said, 'Oh, the queen's on,'""
The United Kingdom offered Donald Trump a historic second state visit, an honor aimed at leveraging his long-standing admiration for the royal family. British officials view the monarchy as a channel of soft power that can influence Trump's positions on key issues, including support for Ukraine against Russia. Trump's fascination with the royal family is partly rooted in his mother's affection for Queen Elizabeth II, and he expressed reverence when meeting her. The upcoming visit is expected to draw large protests in the U.K., reflecting domestic opposition to Trump despite the strategic diplomatic intent.
Read at www.npr.org
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