GB News’ Royal Correspondent Cameron Walker has provided his exclusive insight into engagements undertaken by Prince William, King Charles and the Princess of Wales this week.
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IS TRUMP ABOUT TO INVITE THE KING TO THE WHITE HOUSE?
On Monday, President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States of America.
The relationship between Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Government and the new Republican President, however, is (at best) rocky.
But Britain has a ‘Trump’ card – The Royal Family – and The President is known for his pro-monarchist tendencies.
Good trade (without eyewatering tariffs) and diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and the United States could prove essential in an increasingly volatile world.
Is it any wonder, therefore, that a Downing Street source told The Times this week that the government is planning for a senior royal to visit the United States to renew the “special relationship”?
Buckingham Palace confirmed on Monday that The King sent a personal message to President Trump on his inauguration, reflecting on the enduring special relationship between the UK and USA.
Members of the Royal Family have soft power to strengthen relationships between two countries in a way which politicians will never be able to do; royals have to remain politically neutral.
I understand the option of a State Visit to the U.S. remains firmly on the table, as does the possibility of The King inviting President Trump to London.
A source insists that there are no dates in the diary yet, and any visit would be subject to advice from the Foreign Office.
The Times reports 2026 is the most likely option for an outward State Visit to Washington.
If I was a betting man, I would perhaps place a bet on The Prince and Princess of Wales – if Catherine is well enough.
This is because Prince William met President Trump in Paris last year, and Trump remarked “he looks better in person” as he beamed with delight.
A royal source previously branded William a “global statesman”, and his popularity in the United States (despite his brother’s personal attacks) could be something the UK Government could capitalise on.
Buckingham Palace confirmed on Monday that The King sent a personal message to President Trump on his inauguration, reflecting on the enduring special relationship between the UK and USA.
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WILLIAM BACK IN THE BOXING RING?
On Tuesday, The Prince of Wales visited Centrepoint’s Ealing service to meet young people being supported by the homeless charity.
2025 will mark 20 years of Prince William being the charity’s Patron, having made secret visits as a boy with his mother Diana, Princess of Wales.
During the engagement, he played table football and boxed with young people experiencing homelessness.
He appeared to thrive during boxing drills, saying: “It might get me back into boxing, you never know”.
I hear The Prince of Wales has, in the past, taken to the boxing ring: all be it “briefly” and “not properly”.
At Centrepoint, each young person (16 – 25) is provided with a home, employment and education opportunities, as well as counselling.
I understand The Prince really enjoyed meeting the young people – especially hearing their personal stories of why they needed support.
For example, he met 24-year-old Bethany who was in care as a child – she fell pregnant aged 17.
She “pushed through” with the help of Centrepoint, and earned a degree from the London School of Economics (LSE) and now works in local government.
In 2023, The Prince of Wales launched ‘Homewards’ – a five year plan to demonstrate homelessness can be ended in the UK, making it rare, brief and unrepeated.
On Tuesday, The Prince of Wales visited Centrepoint’s Ealing service to meet young people being supported by the homeless charity.
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WHAT PRINCE HARRY’S UNCLE TELLS US ABOUT ROYAL FAMILY RELATIONS
The Duke of Sussex has settled out of court with News Group Newspapers (NGN) over alleged unlawful information gathering at both The Sun and the now-defunct News of the World.
NGN has offered Harry an “unequivocal apology” for the intrusion into the private lives of himself and his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
It is the first time The Sun newspaper has ever admitted liability for their use of private investigators to carry out unlawful information gathering, but the title has always denied phone hacking.
Prince William and Harry’s uncle, Earl Spencer, has now made a rare public statement: “It takes an enormous amount of guts to take on opponents like News Group Newspapers, and a great tenacity to win. And it’s just wonderful that Harry fought for – and gained – an apology to his mother. She would have been incredibly touched at that and rightly proud.”
It is incredibly telling that Diana’s brother has gone on the record to defend, and praise, his nephew’s tenacity.
Following the late Princess’ tragic death in a Paris car crash, during a paparazzi chase, Earl Spence accused British newspaper editors of having “blood on their hands”.
It appears Prince Harry and his uncle could share the same resentment towards British tabloids, and shows their bond is still strong, despite Harry’s fallout with the Royal Family over ‘Megxit’.
I understand Prince Harry is still not on speaking terms with his brother, Prince William, and has limited contact with The King.
Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace declined to comment on Prince Harry’s legal settlement.
The Duke of Sussex has settled out of court with News Group Newspapers (NGN) over alleged unlawful information gathering at both The Sun and the now-defunct News of the World.
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KING’S SECRET DINNERS WITH THE GRENADIER GUARDS
Yesterday, I attended the Grenadier Guards’ inspection at their barracks near Aldershot.
On Monday, they take up Ceremonial Public Duties for The King at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, The Tower of London and St James’s Palace.
For the last five years, these battle-hardened soldiers have been deployed on operational combat duties.
With a few minor tweaks, ordered by the Brigade Major of the Household Division Lieutenant Colonel Charles Foinette, they will achieve ‘ceremonial perfection’ by Monday’s ceremonies.
He tells me: “The things we tend to be commenting on are things like fit of uniforms, where perhaps some tailoring adjustment is required, or, in 1 or 2 cases, where [bearskin caps] are perhaps a little bit beyond their design life and are going a funny colour, or could fit better. So it’s really about providing the appropriate support to make sure that the soldiers and indeed the battalion, get the support they require to perform to the highest standard.
The Grenadier Guards have a particularly close bond with King Charles, who I understand often has private dinners with them. His Majesty is the Company Commander of the King’s Company Grenadier Guards – one of the oldest regiments in the British Army They have been on duty inside Westminster Abbey at every coronation since King Charles II was crowned, following the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 They were originally formed from loyal bodies of men who remained close to, and trusted by, The King throughout his exile in Bruges – his father, Charles I, was executed in 1649.
