President Donald Trump has expressed enthusiasm for the British royal family during King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s ongoing state visit to the United States. This visit marks the monarch’s first official trip to the U.S. since his accession to the throne in 2022, and it coincides with the 250th anniversary of American independence from Britain.
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On Tuesday, social media platforms buzzed with news of a report from the *Daily Mail*, which revealed that Trump and King Charles share a distant familial connection. According to the publication, both leaders are believed to be 15th cousins, linked through Scottish nobleman John Stewart, the 3rd Earl of Lennox, who lived in the early 16th century. The shared lineage traces back to Stewart’s great-grandfather, King James II of Scotland.
After learning of this revelation, Trump reacted with gusto on Truth Social, stating, “Wow, that’s nice. I’ve always wanted to live in Buckingham Palace!!! I’ll talk to the King and Queen about this in a few minutes!!!” His excitement has drawn attention, especially given the historical context of their connection and the ongoing visit of the British royals.
It is noteworthy to mention that King Charles and Queen Camilla do not reside at Buckingham Palace, their primary residence in London being Clarence House. During their state visit, the couple is involved in various engagements aimed at strengthening ties between the UK and the US and celebrating the shared history of their nations.
The royal couple’s visit began with a festive garden party in Washington, D.C., which included dignitaries and notable guests from both nations. As part of their packed schedule, King Charles plans to address both chambers of Congress, underscoring the significance of the visit. Following his address, the King and Queen are expected to attend an official state dinner at the White House.
The ancestral ties between Trump and King Charles are indeed an unusual footnote in an already historic visit. John Stewart, whose descendants have links to both leaders, established a lineage that includes various surnames, with the last being MacLeod, which is also the maiden name of Trump’s mother, Mary Anne MacLeod Trump. She emigrated from Lewis, Scotland, to the United States in 1930 and later married Frederick Trump, a property developer of German descent.
As their four-day visit progresses, the royal couple is set to continue their journey, which will include two days planned in New York City and Virginia. The significance of this visit extends beyond royal pageantry; it is also a reminder of the long-standing relationship between the UK and the US, a bond which the monarch’s visit seeks to celebrate.
King Charles’s attendance at Congress and other high-profile events signifies the enduring importance of diplomatic relationships and cultural ties between the two nations. The acknowledgement of family connections, even if they are remote, adds a unique and human touch to the proceedings of a state visit.
As King Charles and Queen Camilla engage with various sectors of American society, they aim to foster goodwill and strengthen alliances that date back centuries. While Trump’s light-hearted comment regarding Buckingham Palace might seem trivial, it embodies a broader narrative of connection and familial ties that transcend borders, framed within the contexts of modern diplomacy.