US President Donald Trump responds excitedly to King’s invitation to join Commonwealth
US President Donald Trump has seemingly confirmed King Charles has invited America to join Australia as a Commonwealth nation. Find out how the alliance could unfold.
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President Trump has reacted warmly to a report the US could be offered “associate membership” in the British Commonwealth.
“I Love King Charles. Sounds good to me!” the president wrote on Truth Social, linking to a report by The Sun that a proposal could be made by the monarch when Trump makes a state visit to the UK later this year.
The Commonwealth of Nations, established in 1926, has 56 member states, the vast majority of which are former colonies of the British Empire.
Among its members are Australia, Canada, India, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Africa.
Member states have no legal obligation to one another, though citizenship in one Commonwealth country does provide benefits in the UK — including the right to live, travel, study or work for up to six months without the need to apply for a visa beforehand.
The Daily Mail reported that the idea of offering America Commonwealth membership was being “discussed at the highest levels.”
“It would be a wonderful move that would symbolise sic Britain’s close relationship with the US,” a source told the outlet.
“Donald Trump loves Britain and has great respect for the Royal Family, so we believe he would see the benefits of this.”
The Sun report suggested that the offer is also seen as a possible way to ease tensions between the US and Canada over escalating tariffs — with more due to take effect April 2.
British Prime Minister Kier Starmer presented Trump with a letter from Charles when Starmer visited the White House on February 27, during which the PM extended the offer of the unprecedented second state visit.
“This is really special. This has never happened before. This is unprecedented, and I think that just symbolises the strength of the relationship between us,” Sir Keir said.
Mr Trump quickly accepted the invite, telling Sir Keir: “The answer is yes.”
“On behalf of our wonderful first lady Melania and myself, the answer is yes, and we look forward to being there and honouring the King and honouring, really, your country. Your country is a fantastic country, and it’ll be our honour to be there.”
The US unilaterally declaring independence from Britain in 1776, and securing its independence via the Treaty of Paris seven years later following a bloody war, would not be an obstacle to membership.
Charles III became head of the Commonwealth upon the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on September 8, 2022. Despite the royal leadership role, 36 of the Commonwealth’s 56 members are republics, most notably India.
This story originally appeared in The New York Post.
KING’S WARM WORDS FOR CANCER PATIENTS
King Charles has shared some advice to anyone undergoing cancer treatment quoting England’s enigmatic wartime leader Winston Churchill while on tour in Northern Ireland.
The King, 76, shared his wisdom on a visit to Ulster University in Belfast where he spoke to scientists, students, and those living with cancer.
The university is one of the leading facilities in pharmacy and pharmacology undertaking cutting edge research into cancer treatment.
King Charles has been undergoing treatment for cancer since Buckingham Palace announced his diagnosis in February 2024.
While meeting cancer patients the monarch asked how they were “surviving the treatment”, before citing Winston Churchill who led Britain through WWII.
Speaking about the side effects of treatment, the King said: “What’s that Winston Churchill saying? Keep buggering on. You just have to push on, don’t you.”
The phrase was used by Churchill when he was among friends and family to rally morale during England’s darkest hours and the saying was reportedly abbreviated to “KBO” when in polite company.
King Charles’ use of the rallying cry can be seen as a show of support for those living with cancer to keep going with their treatment and not give up.
While at the celebrated college, the monarch praised the “amazing” research being done through the university.
Looking through a microscope, the king seemed astonished by what he saw, shaking his head and hands as he peered through the lens.
The monarch said he was particularly interested in research into the effects of treatment on the immune system, and asked whether pancreatic cancer was particularly hard to treat.
Before his solo tour of Ulster University, King Charles and Queen Camilla were greeted by cheering fans waving Union flags in Limavady before helping a local bakery celebrate 200 years of business and meeting artists at an exhibition in the town centre.
The couple then met sixth generation owners of Broighter Gold Farm, a 150-year-old farm that is now one of the UK’s best-known suppliers of rapeseed oil.
The Queen, 77, helped celebrity UK chef Paula McIntyre prepare and cook a steak as part of a cooking demonstration.
Shown a sour cream yoghurt dressing, the Queen said: “I’m definitely going to borrow that one.”
She was then shown some locally-made carrot jam but declined to taste it.
It comes after the Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex raved about and shared her fruit jams with friends, saying in an Instagram video, “Of course, there will be fruit preserves. I think it’s pretty clear by now that jam is my jam” as part of her new food range and Netflix show, As Ever.
On the first day of the three-day royal tour, Queen Camilla paid a visit to a women’s centre in Belfast.
WILLIAM WOWS FANS IN ESTONIA
Prince William has begun a two-day trip to Estonia as it braces for the next phase in Moscow’s war with Ukraine.
The Prince of Wales spoke with Estonian President Alar Karis on the role of British troops as the UK seeks to bolster its ties to the Baltic state at the president’s office in the capital Tullinn.
William is at the start of a two-day trip to the country – which shares a border with Russia – and has been at Tapa Army Base to meet British troops stationed there to deter potential Russian aggression towards the country on NATO’s eastern flank.
Mr Karis thanked the prince for the presence of the UK troops at the military base.
The future king also stopped to say hello to waiting fans waving Union flags and take several selfies.
The prince’s trip is being made predominantly in his role as colonel-in-chief of the Mercian Regiment.
He will meet soldiers from his regiment taking over NATO defence duties in Estonia from The Royal Dragoon Guard toward the end of his visit.
The UK stations about 900 service personnel in Estonia – the country’s largest permanent overseas deployment.
NATO allies, British and Estonian soldiers fought together during the Afghanistan conflict.
A Kensington Palace spokesman said before the trip that it was important “for the prince to highlight the strong bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and Estonia”.
“The meeting also allows His Royal Highness the opportunity to applaud Estonia’s strong support for Ukraine since the conflict with Russia.
“It is also yet another example of the Prince of Wales representing the United Kingdom at the highest level on the global stage.”
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Originally published as US President Donald Trump responds excitedly to King’s invitation to join Commonwealth
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