US President-elect Donald Trump is poised to make history as the first elected politician to receive two state visits from the British royal family. According to a report by The Telegraph, Downing Street and the Foreign Office are preparing to extend an invitation to Trump for another state visit once he returns to the White House in January.

The move is seen as an attempt to strengthen ties between the UK and the US, with British diplomats hopeful that Trump’s admiration for the Royal Family will play a significant role in fostering a closer relationship between the two nations. A senior Whitehall source revealed to the Telegraph that Trump’s affection for the royals is well-known, citing the fact that he had a personal photo album made of his previous state visit to the UK in 2019.

During that visit, Trump was treated to a lavish three-day state visit, which included dining with the late Queen Elizabeth II and a commemoration of the 75th anniversary of D-Day in Portsmouth. The visit was seen as a significant moment in Trump’s presidency, with the Queen herself telling Trump, “I hope you come to this country again soon.” Trump responded by praising the Queen, calling her a “Great, great woman.”

Trump’s relationship with the Royal Family appears to be warming up, with a recent meeting between Trump and Prince William at the historic reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. The two shared a warm handshake, and later spent 40 minutes in private at the UK Ambassador’s Residence in Paris, discussing various global issues and the UK-US relationship.

Trump even praised Prince William, saying he’s “doing a fantastic job.” The President-elect also shared fond memories of the late Queen. The meeting was seen as a significant moment in Trump’s relationship with the Royal Family, with many hoping that it will mark the beginning of a closer relationship between the US and the UK.

The potential state visit is expected to take place in 2026, although no official date has been confirmed. If it goes ahead, Trump will become the first elected politician to receive two state visits from the British royal family. The visit will likely be seen as a significant moment in Trump’s presidency, and will likely be closely watched by diplomats and politicians on both sides of the Atlantic.
 

Prince Harry is reportedly set to receive millions from the late Queen Mother on his 40th birthday next week, according to The Independent. The media outlet states that the Duke of Sussex will be eligible to receive a substantial sum on September 15 from a trust established by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother when he was ten years old.

At that time, the Queen Mother, who was then 94, is said to have set aside a tax-free $40.4 million for her great-grandchildren, as reported by The Times.

The newspaper further explains that the inheritances were divided into two instalments-one to be given to Princes William and Harry when they turned 21, and another on their 40th birthdays.

A former palace aide told The Times: “There was a trust fund set up at the time. It was a way for the Queen Mother to set aside money for her great-grandchildren when they were older, and a way of passing a portion of her estate down in a tax-efficient manner. It allowed some of her estate to be safeguarded for them.”

Sources suggest that Harry may have received a larger portion of the inheritance than his older brother William, 42. Insiders believe this is because the Queen Mother anticipated that William, as Britain’s future heir, would inherit a more substantial fortune from the Duchy of Cornwall.

William became Duke of Cornwall when he was named Prince of Wales after King Charles’ coronation, inheriting an estimated $50.2 million from the estate.

When the Queen Mother passed away in 2002 at the age of 101, Buckingham Palace released a statement saying, “Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother has bequeathed her entire estate (which mainly comprises the contents of her houses) to the Queen.”

“In her will, she requested that the Queen make certain bequests to members of her staff, and these bequests will be subject to inheritance tax as usual. The Queen has decided that the most important of Queen Elizabeth’s pictures and works of art should be transferred to the Royal Collection.”