Whitehall's White House Trump Card

I read with interest about Their Majesties the King and Queen’s visit to Washington. President Trump has been highly critical of Britain for its lack of support regarding the Iran war and the Prime Minister’s domestic policies. Even last week, the Trump Administration was signalling a re-think its support of Britain’s custodianship of the Falkland Islands, which was preserved with so much soldierly blood back in 1982. On the arrival of King Charles III on US soil, however, Mr Trump announced himself as one of our closest friends, the much feted ‘special relationship’ as strong and wonderful as ever.

His Majesty’s Government, which is about as popular in America as it is with its own electorate, will be mightily relieved about the visit so far (and things can soon change, especially with Mr Trump). Simon Lewis, a former palace communications secretary, told the BBC that Charles’ "two incredibly well-judged speeches" will leave ministers "hoping that the mood music trickles down" and that "a lot of people in government today will be feeling a lot more positive about the relationship between the prime minister and the president going forwards."

The aura of royalty, it would seem, has not entirely lost its sparkle in the American republic, especially among American Republicans. While they annually celebrate their hard won ‘freedom’ from the government of King George III back in 1783, his 3x great-grandson still apparently has influence and prestige in the city named after the great rebel. A visit by Sir Keir Starmer or any other politician would not have had the same effect. Although the King has little power and cannot ever contradict the British Government which must approve all of his speeches, he is very much Whitehall’s trump card at the White House.

This pro-British feeling is not likely to last. Mr Trump soon revises his opinions, and possibly forgets previous positions as quickly as he arrives at them. Furthermore, the current Westminster government is likely to make many more mistakes while it remains in power, which shall give plenty of opportunity for foreign capitals to despise our nation. Yet Charles proves, or currently proves, that what a monarch lacks in power he can make up in prestige and influence, as our nation’s ultimate and most alluring ambassador and representative. His late mother played a similarly succssful role in Africa and the Commonwealth and charmed her fair share of US Presidents. Overall, monarchs make poor rulers, for their personal flaws then become national weaknesses, but in a constitutional role, their soft power and glamour may work wonders.

The Christian sometimes underestimates the authority and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. Referring to Him merely as "Jesus", they may recall the carpenter’s workshop, His earthly sense of humility, and, quite righty, the Cross on which He died. Yet a reading of Revelation chapters 4 and 5 (and many others beside) serve as a stark reminder that Jesus Christ is the glorious, omnipotent Ruler of the cosmos, before whom all creatures shall bow. He may be gentle as a lamb toward His people, but He really is the roaring Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the fearsome, terrific, majestic centre of everything. If Americans can detect honour and majesty in aging Charles Mountbatten-Windsor, cannot we who bear the name ‘Christian’ dedicate more obedience and deference to the greater King, whose lordship and rule we magnify in our lives?

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11

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