Melania Trump has developed a surprising friendship with King Charles III, becoming pen pals after bonding over their shared commitment to environmental issues.
This positive turn marks a notable development in what has been a sometimes tumultuous relationship between the Trump family and the British royals.
The backdrop of their friendship includes a past incident where Donald Trump stirred controversy by publicly blaming Princess Kate for a scandal involving long-lens photographs of her sunbathing at a private French château, much to the irritation of King Charles, Prince William, and Prince Harry.
In a recent reflection, the former First Lady described how her connection with the king blossomed.
During a state banquet in 2019, where she was seated next to him, Melania wrote, "The evening's state banquet was a formal and elegant affair.
I was seated next to Prince Charles, and it was an absolute pleasure to reconnect with him."
She reminisced about her first encounter with King Charles III, noting, "Our paths had crossed many years ago in New York City."
During their recent correspondence, she expressed her admiration for his "deep-rooted commitment to environmental conservation."
Melania also reflected on the late Queen Elizabeth II, saying, "Sadly, Her Majesty wasn't able to visit us again before her death in 2022.
However, our friendship with the Royal Family continues, and we exchange letters with Charles to this day."
In Christopher Andersen's royal biography, The King: The Life of Charles III, he highlights some of the historical tensions between the Trump family and the royals.
He recalls how Donald Trump had once aggressively pursued Princess Diana after her divorce, making brash claims on a radio program that he could have "nailed her if I wanted to," but only if she passed an HIV test.
The tension escalated further in 2012 when Trump ignited backlash from King Charles, Prince William, and Prince Harry after Kate Middleton was photographed topless by paparazzi while vacationing in France.
In a now-infamous tweet, Trump wrote, "Kate Middleton is great—but she shouldn't be sunbathing in the nude—only herself to blame."
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