From Winston Churchill’s call in Fulton, Missouri to today’s commitments in Windsor, the Special Relationship is alive, strong, and building the future.
This week, as Donald Trump stood alongside King Charles III and Prince William at Windsor Castle, I was reminded once more why the “special relationship” between the United States and the United Kingdom endures so powerfully.
As the British Honorary Consul to Missouri, I have the privilege of watching this relationship not only at the highest levels of state — in places like Whitehall and at the British Embassy, Washington, D.C. — but also at the most local: in the boardrooms, classrooms, and innovation hubs of America’s heartland.
What has unfolded over these past two days has been deeply meaningful. There have been moments of pageantry, strategic partnership, deep friendship, and reflections that look both to our shared history and to our future together.
A Royal Welcome Rich in Symbolism
President Trump and the First Lady were greeted at Windsor with the full grandeur of British ceremonial tradition. A carriage procession down the Long Walk, a Guard of Honour, a Beating Retreat performance by the military, and a spectacular flypast by the Royal Air Force Red Arrows painted a picture of pageantry rarely seen in modern diplomacy.
Prince William played an especially visible role — accompanying the President during parts of the visit, engaging warmly, and embodying the continuity of the monarchy from his father’s reign into the decades ahead. His presence bridged generations, representing the modern face of the monarchy even as centuries of tradition surrounded him.
Watching him alongside King Charles and President Trump underscored how this partnership is not only historic — it is generational.
A Sacred Pause at St. George’s Chapel
Amid the grandeur of statecraft, there was also a moment of quiet reflection. The day included a service at St. George’s Chapel, the spiritual heart of Windsor Castle and a centuries-old place of worship for the royal family.
For me personally, worshipping at St. George’s Chapel has become a deeply important tradition — a priority every time I am in the United Kingdom. To kneel and pray in that historic sanctuary is to be reminded that, at the heart of our diplomacy and our endeavors, there must always be faith, humility, and purpose.
That spiritual dimension grounded the pageantry of the day with something deeper — a reminder of the shared moral foundations on which our nations’ friendship rests.
From Churchill to the Future
The U.S.–UK special relationship was famously championed by Winston Churchill right here in Missouri, when he stood beside Harry S. Truman in 1946 at Fulton, Missouri and delivered his historic “Iron Curtain” speech. It was there that he first declared the need for a “special relationship” between our two nations — a concept that has guided global peace, security, and prosperity for nearly eight decades.
Eighty years later, that bond remains as strong as ever. What began as wartime necessity has evolved into a friendship rooted in shared values, shared prosperity, and shared leadership on the world stage.
As His Majesty the King said, capturing the essence of this moment:
“Anchored by the deep friendship between our people, this relationship which, with good reason, we and our predecessors have long called ‘special,’ has made us safer and stronger through the generations.”
President Trump reflected on that same legacy and its future, saying:
“His Majesty spoke eloquently about the bond which inspired Sir Winston Churchill – the bust is in the Oval Office right now – the beautiful bust of Winston Churchill, to coin the phrase ‘special relationship,’ but seen from American eyes, the word ‘special’ does not begin to do it justice. We’re joined by history and fate, by love and language and by transcendent ties of culture, tradition, ancestry and destiny.”
And as I watched Prince William in his role this week, I couldn’t help but think of how this partnership will continue into his future reign — carrying forward Churchill’s vision in new and inspiring ways.
Final Day: Ceremony, Cultural Ties & Departing Thank-You’s
On the final morning, King Charles III and Queen Camilla formally bid farewell to President Trump and First Lady Melania at Windsor Castle, with ceremonial display by The King’s Guard.
Queen Camilla and Melania Trump had a joint outing — touring Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House and the Royal Library — continuing the cultural exchanges that enrich diplomatic ties.
President Trump made his last formal stop at Chequers, where he and Keir Starmer held further discussions. Among the day’s highlights was the Tech Prosperity Deal and announcements of even more U.S. investment in the U.K., bringing the total of promised investment to around £150 billion — a record for a state visit.
There was also a joint news conference at Chequers where both leaders spoke of shared goals in innovation, defense, and global security. President Trump praised the U.K. as a steadfast ally and noted how honoured he was by the hospitality shown by the King, Queen, and people of Britain.
The Crown’s Quiet Strength
King Charles III gave the whole visit its measure of dignity — from the welcome to the farewell — hosting President Trump with warmth and respect. The Crown’s continuity and tradition were ever present: the royal family’s participation, the ceremonial honors, the cultural and spiritual underpinnings.
Seeing King Charles, Prince William, Queen Camilla, and President Trump together at Windsor was more than ceremonial. It reminded us that even as leaders and governments change, our nations’ friendship stands firm.
A Partnership Built on Innovation
At Chequers, Prime Minister Starmer and President Trump advanced that vision in concrete terms — signing the Tech Prosperity Deal and consolidating deals that will bring U.S. investment into British AI, quantum computing, clean energy, and data infrastructure.
The total investment promises, now confirmed or pledged, approached £150 billion from U.S. firms. This investment will drive jobs, fuel research, and deepen supply-chain and academic partnerships.
Why This Matters to Missouri and America’s Heartland
Here in Missouri, I see the impact of this relationship every day — in the British companies investing in our communities, and in Missouri firms building partnerships across the UK.
We may soon see another kind of “British invasion” when thousands of UK fans arrive in Kansas City for the FIFA World Cup 2026, bringing energy, tourism, and cultural exchange on a grand scale.
And beyond commerce and culture, the U.S.–UK defense partnership is literally embedded in our state: British military personnel serve alongside U.S. counterparts at Whiteman Air Force Base, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and Fort Leonard Wood, strengthening our shared security every day.
Looking Ahead
The special relationship that Churchill envisioned in Fulton is alive and well — and after this visit, it is clear it will flourish well into the era of Prince William.
As Honorary Consul, I observed this historic second state visit with a renewed sense of optimism: rooted in history, rich in friendship, and strengthened by economic, cultural, and spiritual ties.
This week an important chapter has been written for the UK and the US — one that will be looked back on as a moment of renewed unity and promise.