Given that Trump has just insulted our war heroes and is trying to buy Greenland when it’s not for sale, do you think that the Government should instruct King Charles to cancel his visit to the USA?

[Remainsamystery344]

As a Republican from a UK forces family,
I normally shy away from phrases like “war heroes” but I feel really upset today for the families of young men and women who lost their lives in Afghanistan, after Trump suggested to Fox News that NATO troops “stayed a little off the front lines”.

What Trump said is not only profoundly insulting but factually incorrect. The UK in fact suffered the second-highest number of military deaths in the Afghanistan conflict after the United States.

This Guardian article lays out the statistics:

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/22/trump-nato-afghanistan-troops

Of course this is all part of Trumps’s plan to disparage and undermine NATO, but if we are going to have a monarchy, and if KC3 is obliged by the government to attend, can he, as Commander-in-Chief of the British Armed Forces, and having served in the Royal Navy and the RAF himself, at least make a stand in an official speech? Few others seem to have sufficient rank or power to do so?

King Charles could start by mentioning Para Joshua Leakey who survived the conflict having risked his own life to save a US Marine and was subsequently awarded a Victoria Cross for his bravery.

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2015/03/03/british-soldier-awarded-victoria-cross-for-saving-marine/

True. Maybe he'll piss Trump off and get kidnapped 😂

Trump is gone in 2029

I think Trump making it to 2029 is extremely unlikely.

Not sure what comes next will be better..

The King's visit is a state visit, so it will be up to the government to decide whether it goes ahead.

While I agree with Harry, he needs to be careful. He has already made a number of comments to alienate Trump, and his charities are under investigation not least because of USAID links. Making public statements in the middle of the current febrile atmosphere may not be wise.

That’s the most sensible thing he’s said in years.

Nothing in that statement is remotely inflammatory though. It's very measured and factual and yes, the most sensible thing he's said in years. There is no way Trump or anyone else can find anything objectionable in it.

Since leaving the EU we have no choice but to cosy up to dictators...
Putin, Trump or Xi.
With the recent news about the Chinese super embassy its clear which way we've swung.
Simply terrifying.

I agree it’s the most sensible thing he’s said in years.

If you can guarantee that Trump won’t find something objectionable in it, you’re braver than most.

Well done to Harry.

Those that really dislike him on mumsnet should appreciate this honest statement

The visit is really to the USA itself rather than Trump. He, in spite of whatever he thinks, is only a meaningless speck of dust within the bigger picture.

Well said, Prince Harry.

Well said Harry and well said Starmer. Now what?

I think your king should go to the US and lay a wreath on the Prison Ship Martyr Memorial in Brooklyn.

The over 11,000 people buried there died in NY Harbor in captivity on British prison ships and their bodies were buried on the shore. One of the Culper spy ring allegedly died in those ships.

Charles can talk about how they died in appalling conditions without trials while fighting for freedom of speech and the right to a fair trial against a tyrannical government. He can talk about how even today people at fighting and dying in the US and around the world for these same things.

That the world has not changed in 250 years.

Bloody hell, Harry!

Massive respect for this (and I don’t say that often) but he needs to tread carefully. Trump is spiteful and could make his life hell in the States.

Has Harry felt free to speak out because he is in the UK? Or is he back in the US? Just wondered if Trump could stop him returning to his family.

I agree he could be caught out with this BUT he was truthful. Nothing was made up, it was fact

It would depend in part on Harry's visa.

Also, Harry is a rich white well- connected celebrity. He doesn't fit the profile of people dragged off by ICE.

He doesn’t but Trump is vindictive. So, it is brave to speak out.

I'm impressed that he did because it's the most sensible thing he has said in a long time but he isn't going to be shot at or dragged into prison and then flown to a strange country or have his work clearance revoked and end up penniless.

Imagine if Harry was lifted and Charles flew over to get him back. James Bond style.

I think the State visit would be surplus to requirements then.

Great statement from H, honest, empathetic and true. This could be the beginning of his redemption. Hi Dad.

I think tbh most people can see he’s a pork pie short of a picnic and hold onto the fact he won’t be there forever . I think his bombastic approach is not something politicians used to treading the diplomacy line can navigate . I think it’s right that Keir and Nigel have told him he’s wrong .

Or he has decided to meddle in US politics.

The latest ICE permissions:

https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/22/politics/ice-memo-warrantless-entry-what-we-know

Who cares? What he has said is 100% truthful.
There is nothing to be picked on from what he said. Sometimes you just have to accept him. Hard though that is.

Well done to him,

He's definitely been taking advantage of our bonkers First Amendment.

That's the problem.

What he has said is fine.

As a member of the British Royal Family, he's not supposed to be involved in politics, and doing so in a febrile atmosphere like this isn't particularly helpful and may have consequences for himself and others.