Donald Trump’s rocky relationship with the British Royals: From Princess Diana to King Charles

From Queen Elizabeth to Princess Diana: Exploring Trump’s strained relationship with British Royals

Former president Donald Trump has had a rocky relationship with the British royals. Long before he entered politics to his days in the White House, the real estate mogul managed to stir up some controversy or turn himself into a topic of discussion among the monarchy's members. Here is a look into Trump's unsavory history with prominent members of the British royal family, including Princess Diana of Wales, Queen Elizabeth, and Kate Middleton

1. Donald Trump attempted to romantically pursue Princess Diana

After Princess Diana separated from her husband, Prince Charles, Trump attempted to court her, allegedly flooding her with flowers. This prompted the Princess of Wales to say, "He gives me the creeps." Writing about this in The Sunday Times, British journalist Selina Scott noted, "Trump clearly saw Diana as the ultimate trophy wife." Scott added, "As the roses and orchids piled up at her apartment, she became increasingly concerned about what she should do. It had begun to feel as if Trump was stalking her." Though Diana met the business magnate once, they never ended up dating. Speaking to Howard Stern after her death, Trump claimed that he could have "nailed her." However, the ex-president took a u-turn on his story after becoming a politician. He denied he had a romantic interest in Diana during a 2016 interview with Piers Morgan. "I did respect her, but no interest from that standpoint. But I did meet her once, and I thought she was lovely," he said. According to royal biographer Christopher Andersen, this change in tone would not alter how King Charles III, Prince William, Prince Harry, or the current Princess of Wales consider Trump as "anything but crass and overbearing."

2. Donald Trump defended the paparazzi who took invasive photos of Kate Middleton

Trump made into Kate Middleton's bad books by unnecessarily weighing in on the paparazzi taking intrusive photos of her. In 2012, the paparazzi captured the then-Duchess of Cambridge sunbathing topless during her vacation in France. Trump defended the paparazzi and disgraced Middleton on social media over the pictures published in the French Magazine 'Closer'. "Kate Middleton is great--but she shouldn't be sunbathing in the nude--only herself to blame," he wrote on X (formerly Twitter.) Another tweet read, "Who wouldn't take Kate's picture and make lots of money if she does the nude sunbathing thing. Come on Kate!"

3. Meghan Markle spoke against Donald Trump

Meghan Markle voiced her dislike of Trump before she was married into the royal family. In her 2016 appearance on 'The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore' the 'Suits' actress called the billionaire "divisive" and "misogynistic." She also added that she planned never to leave Canada if he won the 2016 presidential election. However, Trump did win the race, and Markle and Prince Harry permanently moved to the US in 2020.

4. King Charles III once made a subtle criticism of Donald Trump's politics

It seems like King Charles also does not favor Trump. In December 2016, he made a veiled reference to the then-US president's politics in a public speech about the perils of populism and xenophobia. "We are now seeing the rise of many populist groups across the world that are increasingly aggressive to those who adhere to a minority faith. All of this has deeply disturbing echoes of the dark days of the 1930s," the British monarch said without directly naming Trump. Charles' advocacy for environmentalism also contradicts the real estate mogul who believes climate change is a "hoax."

5. Melania Trump's meeting with Prince Harry

After stepping into the White House, Melania Trump met with Prince Harry in September 2017 during her first solo international trip. She attended the Invictus Games in Toronto, a passion project of the Duke of Sussex. The Olympics-style international competition is conducted for injured servicemen and women. Though the duo met in Ontario, the usual rapport between the British monarchy and the first family was missing.

6. Donald Trump wasn't invited to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding

Trump was not an invitee to Harry and Markle's wedding in 2018. However, no world leader attended the royal wedding. "It has been decided that an official list of political leaders–both UK and international– is not required for Prince Harry and Ms. Markle's wedding," a spokesperson for the royal family told Harper's Bazaar at the time.

7. Donald Trump meets with Queen Elizabeth despite public backlash

In July 2018, Trump embarked on an official visit to the UK and met Queen Elizabeth, though it was not a state visit. Though he accepted an invitation for a state visit shortly after entering the White House and allegedly hoped to play golf with the Queen, a petition thwarted his plans. Citing the former president's "well-documented misogyny and vulgarity," the petition claimed he did not meet the qualities to be received by the Queen or the then-Prince of Wales. "Donald Trump should be allowed to enter the UK in his capacity as head of the US Government, but he should not be invited to make an official State Visit because it would cause embarrassment to Her Majesty the Queen," it said. Though the petition sparked a debate in the British parliament, the government believed Trump should have the opportunity to meet the Queen. He met her a second time in 2019.