Donald Trump is reportedly feeling “less special” after learning that King Charles III met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Sandringham just days after Trump himself was invited to visit the royal estate.
According to The Daily Mail, diplomatic sources in Washington revealed that Trump was hurt by the news, as it made him feel that “any leader” could secure an invitation to Sandringham, diminishing the exclusivity of his own invite.
The meeting between King Charles and Zelensky took place on March 2, shortly after Trump and Zelensky had a heated exchange in the Oval Office, which led to Trump publicly criticizing the Ukrainian leader.
Trump’s allies reportedly expressed their displeasure to UK officials, suggesting that the timing of Zelensky’s visit made Trump feel slighted. In response, UK officials emphasized that it would have been “inappropriate” for the government to influence the King’s decisions about whom he meets.
Adding to Trump’s frustration, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is currently embroiled in a trade dispute with the US, was also welcomed to Sandringham.
A “well-placed” source told The Daily Mail that relations between the US and UK “went a bit cool” following the Sandringham meetings, but UK officials maintained that King Charles’s engagements are independent of government influence.
No. 10 sources clarified that Zelensky’s meeting with King Charles had been planned well in advance and was unrelated to Trump’s recent clash with the Ukrainian president. They also noted that Prime Minister Keir Starmer had a positive phone conversation with Trump on Monday, during which Trump reportedly praised King Charles as a “wonderful man.”
The situation highlights the delicate nature of international diplomacy and the challenges of balancing relationships with global leaders. While Trump’s feelings of being “less special” may reflect his desire for exclusivity in his dealings with the British monarchy, UK officials have reiterated that the King’s meetings are his own prerogative and not subject to political interference.
