Donald Trump has stepped back from controversial comments about British soldiers following behind-the-scenes concern expressed by King Charles, in a rare example of royal diplomacy influencing international debate.
The US president issued a public clarification praising the UK armed forces days after suggesting that Nato allies had remained away from frontline fighting during the war in Afghanistan – remarks that sparked anger across the political spectrum in Britain.
In a message posted on his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump described British troops as “among the greatest warriors” and acknowledged the 457 service personnel who lost their lives during the conflict.
The statement followed mounting criticism from senior UK figures, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who described the original remarks as “deeply insulting and frankly appalling”.
While stopping short of offering a formal apology, the president’s reversal was widely interpreted in Westminster as a retreat from comments regarded as both inaccurate and offensive.
Senior government sources indicated that King Charles had privately conveyed his unease through established diplomatic channels after the remarks were broadcast during a Fox News interview. Palace insiders stressed that the monarch acted strictly within his constitutional role, relaying concern rather than issuing public comment.
The King’s intervention was later credited by politicians from across the political divide as helping to prompt the president’s change in tone.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the clarification was likely “as much as can be expected” from Mr Trump, adding that the response acknowledged the hurt caused to British military families.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said he was relieved by the reversal and praised the monarch’s “quiet influence”, though he added that it did not alter wider concerns about the president’s approach to international alliances.
Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel said the comments about British troops had been “disgraceful”, but welcomed the fact that the president had publicly corrected the record.
Mr Trump’s original remarks suggested that US forces had carried the burden of frontline combat during the 2001–2021 Afghanistan campaign – a claim contradicted by official military records showing extensive British involvement, particularly in Helmand Province.
British forces fought alongside American troops for two decades following the invocation of Nato’s Article 5 after the 11 September attacks, with hundreds killed and thousands wounded during operations.
The episode has underlined the continuing influence of royal soft power at a time of heightened international sensitivity.
The King and Queen are currently expected to travel to Washington later this year for a state visit, despite calls from some MPs and campaign groups for the trip to be reconsidered amid wider concerns over US foreign policy rhetoric.
Palace officials have reiterated that all overseas visits are undertaken only at the request of the UK Government.
Appearing in public shortly after the clarification was issued, King Charles was seen in good spirits as he attended church on the Sandringham estate, accompanied by Queen Camilla and members of the Royal Family.
While the monarch has avoided public comment, the incident has been widely viewed in diplomatic circles as a demonstration of the discreet role the Crown continues to play in protecting Britain’s international relationships – using influence quietly, rather than through confrontation.
