US journalist Scottie Nell Hughes has praised Prime Minister Keir Starmer for his "genius move" in opening his press conference with President Trump by delivering an invitation from King Charles III.
Starmer presented the formal letter to Trump during their Oval Office discussions.
"This is a letter from Your Majesty, the King. It's an invitation for a second state visit," Starmer told Trump, touching his shoulder.
US Journalist Scottie Nell Hughes said: "Absolutely. The Prime Minister was very smart when he decided that this would be the way he would start his conversation.
Scottie Nell Hughes branded Keir Starmer "very clever"
GB News
"He knows that one of the things Trump loved most during his first term was visiting London in that capacity.
"So, he wanted to ensure that Trump experienced it again this time.
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"I think that was a very smart move by the Prime Minister, and it clearly showed that his staff had done their homework to figure out how best to prepare Donald Trump for the conversation.
"Perhaps we gained a bigger insight into Trump than we've seen before regarding the Zelensky issue.
"When he was asked, Do you still think Zelensky is a dictator? We were told by commentators over here that it was all just for effect when he uses language like that.
"The fact that he responded, Did I say that? Did I say that? And almost had a twinkle in his eye seemed to suggest that he knows exactly what he's doing.
Trump happily accepted the invitation
GETTY
"It gave the impression that he’s aware of the game he’s playing when he uses really harsh language and a difficult rhetoric."
Trump appeared visibly pleased by the gesture, describing Charles as "a beautiful man, a wonderful man".
"The answer is yes," Trump responded. "We look forward to being there and honouring the King and honouring really the country."
The exchange marked a warm beginning to their discussions, with Starmer reminding Trump that "the last state visit was a tremendous success".
Donald Trump is a huge fan of King Charles
GettyDuring his first presidency, Trump met with Queen Elizabeth II in July 2018 and again during an official state visit in June 2019.
Trump has maintained connections with the royal family since his election victory in November.
He met with Prince William in Paris last December when both attended the Notre Dame Cathedral's reopening.
Following that meeting, Trump spoke about King Charles in an interview with the New York Post.
He commented that the monarch is "fighting very hard" through his cancer diagnosis.
