Melania Trump has developed a friendship with King Charles III, which marks a positive turn in the often complicated dynamic between the Trump family and the British royals. Their connection blossomed over a shared interest in environmental issues, particularly after they were seated next to each other at a state banquet during a 2019 visit.
In her reflections, Melania shared with The Independent, “The evening’s state banquet was a formal and elegant affair. I was seated next to Prince Charles, and it was an absolute pleasure to reconnect with him.” She noted their engaging discussion around his passion for environmental conservation.
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Melania also expressed her sadness that Queen Elizabeth II could not join them again before her passing in 2022, but emphasized that their correspondence with King Charles continues today.
However, not all past interactions between the Trumps and the royals have been friendly. Christopher Andersen’s biography, The King: The Life of Charles III, refers to tensions, including Trump’s controversial remarks about Princess Diana. Trump had previously made headlines for criticizing Kate Middleton following a paparazzi incident where she was photographed topless while on vacation in France. He tweeted, “Kate Middleton is great—but she shouldn’t be sunbathing in the nude—only herself to blame.” This comment reportedly elicited a furious reaction from King Charles, Prince William, and Prince Harry.
The backlash from Trump’s words came as William and Kate pursued legal action against a French magazine for publishing the invasive images, highlighting how the incident stirred up painful memories related to the media’s treatment of Princess Diana.