 "British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, hands an invitation from King Charles III to President Donald on Trump at the White House, on Thursday. AP")
US President Donald Trump on Thursday accepted an invitation from King Charles III for a state visit during a meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday, promising to undertake the trip soon.
According to a CNN report_, t_he invitation was one of the first items addressed by Starmer, who arrived at the White House for discussions on Ukraine.
“This is a letter from your majesty, the king. It’s an invitation for a second state visit. This is really special. This has never happened before. This is unprecedented,” The Hill quoted Starmer as saying, touching Trump’s shoulder.
“This is a very special letter, I think the last state visit was a tremendous success … this is truly historic,” he added.
“The answer is yes,” Trump said in response to Starmer asking if he would take the invite to Windsor Castle.
“We look forward to being there and honoring the king and honoring really the country,” Trump was quoted as saying.
As he opened the letter, Trump praised Charles, calling him “a beautiful man and a wonderful man.”
This invitation highlights Starmer’s approach to engaging with the new US president and reinforcing the “special relationship” between the US and Britain, reported CNN.
Starmer is following a strategy established by his predecessor, Theresa May, who, during her visit to Trump’s White House in January 2017, announced that Queen Elizabeth II had invited him for a state visit.
Although that visit was delayed for two-and-a-half years, Trump eventually travelled to London for a grand event featuring gun salutes, tea with the royals, and an elaborate state banquet.
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More ShortsWith inputs from agencies