Amid growing chatter that the Princess of Wales could be deployed as Britain’s quiet diplomatic advantage in dealing with Donald Trump, there is a strong argument that no one else could play this role quite as effectively as Catherine.
To understand why, it helps to look far beyond today’s headlines. When Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in June 1953, the ceremony transfixed millions around the world. Among them were a Scottish-born mother living in New York and her young son. Mary Anne MacLeod Trump sat glued to the television with six-year-old Donald, absorbing every detail of the spectacle. That day left a lasting impression. The pageantry, the symbolism, and the sense of history embedded themselves deeply in the boy’s imagination.
Decades later, that child became one of the most polarising figures in modern politics. Donald Trump has always divided opinion sharply, but one constant has remained: his fascination with spectacle, status, and legacy. He has openly acknowledged that his flair for showmanship was shaped by his mother’s admiration for the British Royal Family and everything it represented glamour, continuity, and power wrapped in ceremony.
That personal connection has not been lost on British leaders. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer appears to have grasped early on that traditional diplomacy alone is not enough when dealing with Trump. Symbolism matters to him, perhaps more than policy papers ever could. That understanding was on full display when Trump was invited for what became his second state visit to the UK, an invitation personally extended by King Charles.
The visit was carefully choreographed, and nowhere was that more evident than at the state banquet in St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle. Seated next to Trump was Catherine, Princess of Wales. The effect was immediate and unmistakable. Trump was visibly captivated, smiling throughout the evening and later describing her as “radiant.” For a man rarely short of self-confidence, he appeared genuinely awed.
Catherine’s impact went beyond polite conversation. In the realm of soft power, she delivered a masterclass. She engaged Trump warmly, listened attentively, and projected an ease that disarmed him. Even Melania Trump, usually reserved in such settings, was reported to be visibly impressed. Catherine made a point of spending time with the First Lady as well, reinforcing a sense of personal respect rather than political calculation.
This was diplomacy without briefing notes or press conferences. It worked precisely because it appealed to Trump’s emotional instincts his desire to feel important, admired, and connected to history. In that moment, he was not just a president at a dinner; he was part of a grand narrative he deeply values.
Now, with Catherine having announced she is in remission and preparing for her first major overseas engagement in years, that same soft-power strategy is quietly resurfacing. Prince William is expected to travel to the United States later this year, coinciding with major national events, including the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. King Charles is also set to visit the US separately, with hopes in government circles that these engagements will help reset strained relations and revive stalled trade discussions.
Trump has long been motivated by legacy. Former associates have noted that he craves recognition as someone woven into history’s fabric. Catherine, perhaps more than any other public figure, has the ability to offer that sense of grandeur without saying a word about politics.
Whether one admires Trump or not, the reality is that relationships still shape global affairs. In that arena, the Princess of Wales represents something rare: dignity combined with warmth, symbolism combined with sincerity. If Britain is looking for a way to thaw relations and reopen doors, Catherine may well be the most effective envoy it has not through policy, but through presence.
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