In a rather surprising turn of events, royal biographer Robert Hardman found himself in a unique position during a recent Oval Office meeting with former President Donald Trump. The meeting took place amid the visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the United States, providing Hardman an unexpected opportunity to hear Trump’s candid views on the British royal family.
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Hardman, who was presenting Trump with a copy of his biography on Queen Elizabeth II, recounted the encounter in an article for the Daily Mail. He described how the 45th President of the United States expressed enthusiasm about the royal visit, praising King Charles and asking Hardman if the administration had succeeded in fostering a good relationship with the monarch. “We’ve done a good job with the King, right?… He’s a great guy, he really is,” Trump remarked.
The conversation quickly turned to the future of the monarchy and the role of the Prince of Wales, Prince William. Trump related positively to William, responding to Hardman’s description of him as “very nice” by asserting, “A great guy. I like him.” The President’s upbeat view of the royal family continued as he inquired about Catherine, Princess of Wales. Reflecting on their past acquaintance during a state banquet in the UK, Trump praised her character, saying, “How’s she doing? She’s so great. She was sick; people said crazy things about her and she was so brave,” referencing her recent health struggles and subsequent cancer diagnosis.
Trump did not shy away from asking about the younger generation of royals either, expressing curiosity about Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. “The kids are good kids, right?” he inquired, showing an interest in their wellbeing and future prospects.
However, Hardman’s account reveals that Trump’s admiration did not extend to all members of the royal family. He probed Hardman for insights regarding Prince Harry, who faced significant challenges since stepping back from royal duties in 2020. Noting Harry’s estrangement from his family, Trump asked, “So can Harry make a comeback?” When Hardman suggested that it seemed highly improbable that Harry could reintegrate into the royal fold, Trump responded thoughtfully, “Too many things, I guess.” His comments suggested a clear disapproval of the circumstances surrounding the Duke of Sussex’s departure from royal life.
The former president offered a particularly pointed critique of Meghan Markle, Prince Harry’s wife. Trump remarked, “That wife of his. Boy, what she’s done to that guy… I guess she got blocked out by William’s wife.” His choice of words indicated a certain disdain, reflecting his longstanding opinion on the influence Markle has had on Harry.
The meeting was somewhat unexpected for Hardman, who had initially been called to interview Trump for his biography about Queen Elizabeth II, titled “Elizabeth II: In Private. In Public. The Inside Story.” The scheduling was altered after a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, but ultimately, Hardman had the chance to meet with Trump for an intimate discussion on royals.
Handing over one of the early copies of his book, Hardman observed Trump’s eagerness to see how he was portrayed within its pages. Trump’s amusement turned to curiosity as he skimmed through the book, jokingly querying, “Let’s see if he’s said reasonably nice things,” before discovering that Hardman had relayed how the late Queen regarded him during their 2019 state visit. Trump appeared delighted yet cheekily remarked, “I’ve had better… and I’ve certainly had worse.”
Overall, Hardman’s meeting with Trump provided a revealing look into the former president’s unfiltered opinions on the royal family, underscoring the complexity of royal dynamics and public perception in today’s media landscape. As interest in the British monarchy remains, the opinions of high-profile figures like Trump continue to fuel discussions about its future and relevance.