‘I love King Charles’: Trump embraces rumour of US joining Commonwealth

Suggestions that Britain will invite America to be an associate member of the group of nations have been welcomed by the president.

Trump with Charles, then the Prince of Wales, during his first state visit in 2019. He has since been invited to a second. Picture: Chris Jackson/Reuters

US President Donald Trump appears keen to make the Commonwealth great again. He has welcomed reports King Charles could invite the United States to join the 56-member organisation when Trump makes his state visit to Britain.

“I Love King Charles. Sounds good to me!” Trump posted on his Truth Social site.

Becoming an “associate member” or even a full member would not entail accepting the king as head of state, since the four most recent countries to join – Mozambique, Rwanda, Togo and Gabon – do not have historical ties to the former British Empire nor any association with the Crown. The organisation aims to entrench democracy, human rights and the rule of law as well as cultural and economic ties.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a letter from King Charles in February. Picture: Carl Court/Getty Images

The US is one of a handful of former British colonies to so far shun membership but joining could help ease tensions with Commonwealth founder member Canada.

Buckingham Palace did not comment on any plans.

Nigel Farage, the Reform leader who has a close relationship with Trump, hand-delivered a letter during Trump’s first term from the Royal Commonwealth Society, reportedly supported by the late queen, suggesting the move.

The late Queen Elizabeth and Trump in 2019. Picture: Victoria Jones/PA

With Prince William at Notre Dame Cathedral in December. Picture: Thibault Camus/EPA/The Times

“The idea of joining the English-speaking peoples of the world appeals to Trump, he likes the royal family, he is a Churchill fan and the Americans have just about forgiven us for George II and 1812 [when British troops set fire to the White House],” said Farage, who added that he was at the inaugural meeting of the Royal Commonwealth Society of America in 2017.

“I think it would be great if America joined the Commonwealth and hosted the Commonwealth Games.

“It might become a more powerful organisation, which is important because China has been targeting Commonwealth countries – Barbados removed the queen as head of state without a referendum despite their constitution under Chinese pressure.

“The Solomon Islands has been targeted and now has a Chinese naval base. There is a Chinese geopolitical strategy to attack the Commonwealth to weaken Britain’s soft power and if America was to join it would be a very good thing.”

The Times