Prince William & Kate Middleton May Be Forced Into a Bigger Political Role Than They Bargained For
Even though Donald Trump was officially visiting King Charles III and Queen Camilla for his second state visit, Prince William and Kate Middleton played a central role in the soft diplomacy mission. Now, it has set them up for possible political assignments in the future.
King Charles is at the top of the U.S. president’s list to be invited for the 250th anniversary celebration of the Declaration of Independence in July 2026, according to The Independent. While that seems like a lovely idea after the successful U.K. visit, the media outlet is noting that the royals are being kept front and center in “keeping Donald Trump sweet.”
It’s no secret that the controversial politician has many countries on edge, and his love of the royal family has thrust the palace into U.S.-U.K. relations whether they like it or not. And that’s where Prince William and Kate Middleton come into play. With the monarch’s health rather touch-and-go, the Prince and Princess of Wales are reportedly on standby to take his place.
Donald Trump has been unusually obsessed with the royal family, going back to his first administration, and the palace has become “a key part of Britain’s diplomacy” in tenuous times. “The president really wants a major royal visit during his presidency. He wants to be able to welcome the royal family to the White House,” a source told The Independent.
Still, the royal family is supposed to abstain from politics, but they are being pushed further and further into the fray. In May 2023, Tom Jennings, director of the National Geographic documentary, Charles: In His Own Words, predicted to SheKnows that King Charles would push the palace deep into international relations because he was “hooked” into that world.
“What I see happening in Charles’ vision, not just in reading the news, but in watching his moves, he’s going to change the monarchy,” he said. Just two years ago, Jennings foresaw the king addressing political leaders — and here we are in 2025. The director believed Charles would make this move to set Prince William up as more than just a figurehead leader.
“He recognizes that it’s antiquated in some ways,” Jennings continued “They will keep the Beefeaters, the Tower of London, and Buckingham Palace because it’s a good export for the tourists, but he’s going to fashion it in a way that when William steps in — it’s going to look and feel like a younger man’s game.”
This isn’t the monarchy that Queen Elizabeth II ruled over for 70 years; it’s a quickly changing landscape — and it looks like the royals are knee-deep in global politics.
Before you go, click here to see every time Queen Elizabeth has met the US Presidents!