TL:DR – “King’s Role in Trump’s Change of Tone on UK Troops: Insights and Analysis”
- Donald Trump backtracked on claims UK troops ‘stayed off the frontlines’ in Afghanistan after King Charles intervened.
- Trump’s initial comments angered veterans; he later called UK troops ‘among the greatest of all warriors.’
- King Charles conveyed concerns through back channels, highlighting the need to respect the sacrifices of soldiers.
- The exchange coincided with discussions on trade and foreign issues during Trump’s state visit to the UK.
- Insights reveal the royal family’s potential influence in US-UK relations amid Trump’s presidency.
King’s intervention ‘was behind Trump’s backtrack over jibe at UK troops’ | News World
United States of America at Windsor Castle on September 17, 2025 in Windsor, England. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)” decoding=”sync”/>Trump’s Controversial Comments on UK Troops
After claiming that British troops ‘stayed a little off the frontlines’ in Afghanistan, Donald Trump has backtracked – thanks to the intervention of King Charles.
Trump’s claims that the US ‘never needed’ UK troops infuriated veterans this weekend.
He said: ‘They’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan… and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the frontlines.’
Just 48 hours after making the shocking comments, Trump made a new post saying UK troops were ‘among the greatest of all warriors’ after King Charles swayed him, and Keir Starmer spoke to him.
A source told The Sun King Charles reached out through back channels to speak to Trump, adding: ‘It was made very clear that the King’s concern over the hurt had been caused by the comments, whether inadvertent or not.’
Trump later clarified: ‘It’s a bond too strong to ever be broken. The UK Military, with tremendous Heart and Soul, is second to none (except for the USA!). We love you all, and always will! President Donald J Trump.’
King Charles’ Diplomatic Role
A Downing Street spokesperson said Trump and Starmer spoke on the phone shortly before his apparent apologetic post.
‘The Prime Minister raised the brave and heroic British and American soldiers who fought side by side in Afghanistan, many of whom never returned home. We must never forget their sacrifice,’ he said.
The encounter comes just days after a royal expert suggested to WTX News that King Charles could be the UK’s secret weapon when it came to placating Trump.
It’s well known that Trump has an infatuation with the Royal family – something royal expert Duncan Larcombe thinks is due to his mother’s Scottish roots, and his own business interests in the UK.
‘For Trump, the ‘Special Relationship’ is something he holds quite dear. But Trump will be Trump,’ Larcombe told WTX News.
The King is due to visit the United States in April, a trip which some have suggested should be cancelled over Trump’s tariff threats regarding Greenland. Larcombe said that during a US visit, it would be down to Charles personally to ‘test the waters’ with Trump.
‘If they end up having a full and frank conversation, who knows what Charles might say?
‘The King doesn’t have the same power his mother had. But with a president who is so friendly toward Britain and the Royal Family, there is every chance Donald Trump might listen to him,’ he added.