Donald Trump has expressed his enthusiasm for the idea of the United States joining the British Commonwealth, stating on his Truth Social platform that he has a fondness for King Charles and believes that the notion of the US becoming an “associate member” of the Commonwealth “sounds good.” This declaration comes amidst discussions that King Charles might extend an invitation to the US during Trump’s anticipated state visit to Britain.

The Commonwealth, which is composed of 56 member countries, has thus far excluded the US, despite its history as a former British colony. Reports indicate that Trump’s participation could potentially ease diplomatic tensions with Canada, founding member of the Commonwealth and under the head of state of King Charles. An integration of the US into this international body is viewed by some as a way to reinforce relations between the United States and the United Kingdom, fostering a stronger alliance between the two nations.

Interestingly, the idea of American accession to the Commonwealth is not novel. In the past, the Royal Commonwealth Society proposed the possibility during Trump’s first presidential term, an initiative that garnered support from the late Queen. The move was championed by Reform leader Nigel Farage, who personally presented a letter to Trump advocating for this cause. Farage remarked on Trump’s alignment with the Commonwealth ethos, citing shared values amongst English-speaking nations and the potential for the US to host major events such as the Commonwealth Games.

Farage also pointed to geopolitical concerns, arguing that China has been strategically undermining Commonwealth nations, thereby suggesting that American membership could bolster the organisation’s global standing.

In another narrative, Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, was once dubbed ‘Princess Sourpuss’ following a royal tour of the United States early in her public life. This tour, which occurred shortly before she turned 20, aimed to remedy a diplomatic rift stemming from the UK’s refusal to send troops into Vietnam during the conflict. Despite its intentions, this visit did not achieve the desired impact, as Anne’s manner was perceived as unfriendly; she reportedly declined to engage with the press, which resulted in her being viewed as brusque.

Royal commentators and historians have noted that the visit failed to create the goodwill it was meant to foster between the two nations. Most notably, Afua Hagan conveyed that Anne’s reluctance to partake in interviews contributed to an impression of disengagement, while Dr Ed Owens highlighted the diplomatic context of her mission, aimed at improving UK-US relations.

In contrast to her earlier experiences, Princess Anne has since re-established her reputation as one of the most diligent working royals, having completed an impressive 474 engagements in the past year alone. Her professional trajectory illustrates a significant evolution from her initial engagements abroad to her current standing within the royal family. The life and works of Princess Anne will be explored in detail in the upcoming documentary, “Princess Anne: Royal Rule-Breaker,” airing on March 22nd on Channel 5.

Source: Noah Wire Services