The Brits are SO smart.

[MsAmerica]

Playing Trump like a fiddle, knowing his weakness for flattery and star power. Starmer begins by presenting a letter of invitation from Charles III.

Donald Trump given letter from King Charles on Ukraine war with special 'unprecedented' invite
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/donald-trump-given-letter-from-king-charles-on-ukraine-war-with-special-unprecedented-invite/ar-AA1zVHbC

UK Prime Minister Starmer Presents Trump With An Invitation From King Charles For A State Visit: "This Is Really Special"
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2025/02/27/uk_prime_minister_starmer_presents_trump_with_an_invitation_from_king_charles_for_a_state_visit_this_is_really_special.html

Trump likes pomp and flattery - we need every bit of animation we can muster. We can manage both.

Experts consider him very easy to manipulate.
How embarrassing.

This. If getting palace visits and state dinners is something Trump wants, we can give him that. No one dies, and in fact it may save lives.

The soft power of the Royal family really does exist.

Sticks in the craw, though, doesn’t it?

I reckon this could extend to the UK dangling the idea of some kind of honorary gong in front of him and his lady wife. 'Lady Starmer sends her kindest regards to the First Lady, Mrs Trump ... His Majesty the King would love to meet her when he has a free moment away from bestowing honours on the worthy ... we value the long-standing friends of the UK very much ...'

Though Trump probably really wants a Nobel Peace Prize, even if he has to share it with someone. Starmer knows that. He's Blair to the core.

I'd love to have been a fly on the wall when this was discussed between Starmer and Charles. I can just imagine the King saying "but do we really have to?", and the PM saying, "yes, your majesty, I'm afraid you do".

And then perhaps Camilla turning the air blue when she was informed! 😂

I’m worried it will separate us from Europe. Trump can’t be trusted.

This is a joint effort between Starmer and Macron. They are absolutely working in tandem.

Yes; I thought Macron was actually quite impressive the other day.

Interesting how people perceive things differently. I saw it as an embarrassing, desperate move because Starmer knows Trump doesn't think much of the UK and the special relationship the two countries once had is long gone. I don't think for one moment Trump will forget the comments that various Labour MPs have made about him. It's just mind games and they are all playing each other.

Special relationship really makes me cringe, anyone else ??

It does. The video of Starmer giving the invitation was nauseating "it's unprecedented, this is really special". But I bet it was all discussed before, and with the king to ok the invitation being so public etc.

It does seem like it's a bit of a trump card (pun intended).

This was my impression too.

I thought Starmer did a great job, AND it was embarrassing. Just the reality of being a small country with a big past and an uncertain future. But also the nature of diplomacy and democracy. If a major power votes for someone, however unpredictable, we've got to find some kind of connection.

@MsAmerica I wish I still felt the same about visiting America, we'd planned a big trip in 2026 but I just don't want to do it at the moment. Still love so much about the US in general though.

I do think Westminster is deluding itself with this one. It's all just politics ie words

Starmer is doing the right thing. Trump want to keep special and important. He wants to be a “king”. Bit of pomp and ceremony will keep him quiet for a while

I agree. It might buy some time at least while Europe gets its act together. I didn't like the invitation at first, but at worst, I don't think there's anything to lose by it. Hopefully Trump will wear a better fitting outfit this time.

Trump has a high regard for the UK.

The video of Starmer giving the invitation was nauseating "it's unprecedented, this is really special"

It was cringey and clever. Starmer is fighting for Ukraine here. And us!

DH and me were discussing the levels of the state visit in last night.

You want horses and carriages? look again at those tariffs Donnny boy.

Photo ops with King & Queen are included in your original package. Oh, you want the super pass with Kate & Wills? Well about calling Zelensky a Dictator...

I mean, the handing over of the letter was the cringiest thing possible, but kudos to Starmer for keeping a straight face.

I laughed out loud at “really special”. Like if you’re giving small children something and one of them has to have a different colour cup…”no, this is the SPECIAL one” 😂

Is musk going to take Melanie's place as the plus one?

It’s probably got a colour by numbers knighthood on the back

100% this. Well articulated. “the reality of being a small country with a big past and an uncertain future”.

we have to try something. No point in being proud if there’s an opportunity to leverage Trump’s vanity

Might as well play the hand you have. Starmer did well.

I agree. Soft diplomacy 👍