Charles’ biographer Robert Hardman previously told POLITICO: “In soft power terms, other world leaders, other countries are far more interested in the monarchy than they are in Downing Street.”
This contrast — together with the continuity represented by the monarch — may be at an even higher premium as Starmer faces questions over his future following weeks of turmoil inside No. 10.
At the same time, spurring Trump toward stronger action in support of Ukraine remains a tough sell. While the president appears to have edged toward a more skeptical view of Putin, that has not yet translated into a decisive move to punish him.
The president made clear in a Truth Social post that he expects NATO allies to stop purchasing Russian oil and place significant tariffs on China for its support of Russia’s war before the U.S. enacts any additional costs on Russia.
Torrey Taussig, director of the Transatlantic Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council think tank, said that coupled with Trump’s muted response to the Russian drone incursion into Polish airspace, “this latest positioning does not give Starmer much room to maneuver.”
Taussig added that while Trump’s affinity for the royals “may lend weight” to an appeal from the king on Ukraine, she was “unconvinced” the president would change course.
If the U.K.’s main job so far has been attempting to keep Trump in the room for talks about Ukraine, then the king will at least contribute to that effort — with grander gestures than most.
Annabelle Dickson contributed to this report.