Charles and Harry’s Surprising Unity Forced a Trump U-Turn as William Stays Silent

King Charles III (L) prepares to bid farewell to US President Donald Trump at Windsor Castle.(L); Prince William walks near a print by Andy Warhol of his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.(R) | Image Source: Getty Images | Aaron Chown - WPA Pool(L); Sa

Jan. 30 2026, Published 07:42 AM. ET

The special relationship between the U.S. and the U.K. faced an unexpected stress test this week following comments by President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos. While the President’s remarks about NATO allies sparked a firestorm of criticism, as the Daily Mail notes, it was the quiet, behind-the-scenes intervention from King Charles that reportedly turned the tide.

Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Jonathan Brady - WPA Pool — Charles attends the "A Starry Night In The Nilgiri Hills" event hosted by the Elephant Family in partnership with the British Asian Trust at Lancaster House. The event is the finale of "CoExistence", a campaign by wildlife conservation charity Elephant Family.(Image Source: Getty Images | Jonathan Brady - WPA Pool)

During the summit, Trump claimed that NATO allies "stayed a little back" from the front lines during the 20-year war in Afghanistan. The comment hit a raw nerve in Britain, a country that saw 457 service personnel lose their lives in the conflict. In a rare move, King Charles reportedly ensured his unease over the remarks was relayed privately to the White House.“It was made very clear that the King’s concern over the hurt had been caused by the comments whether inadvertent or not,” a well-placed source told The Sun. The effect was almost immediate. Trump, a known admirer of the British Monarchy, quickly pivoted on social media, hailing British troops as ‘among the greatest of all warriors’ and praising their ‘tremendous heart and soul.’

US President Donald Trump (R) and King Charles III (C) review the Guard of Honour after arrival at Windsor Castle. (Image Source: Getty Images | Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Interestingly, the King’s private message mirrored a very public one from Prince Harry. The Duke of Sussex, a veteran of two tours in Afghanistan, released a powerful statement reminding the world that "mothers and fathers buried sons and daughters" in the conflict. While Charles and Harry are rarely seen to be working in tandem these days, their unified front, accidental as it was, on the sanctity of military sacrifice proved impossible for the White House to ignore.

While the King opted for quiet diplomacy, Prince William chose an even more traditional route: total silence. By remaining publicly and privately neutral, the Prince of Wales leaned into the Queen Elizabeth school of monarchy.

Prince William, Prince of Wales, Great Master of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, attends a Service for The Order of the Bath at Westminster Abbey. (Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Max Mumby/Indigo)

William’s decision to stay above the fray reflects his belief that the Royal Family's influence is strongest when it remains entirely removed from political disputes. While he was undoubtedly as appalled as his father and brother, William knows that with a high-stakes visit to the U.S. planned for the World Cup later this year, maintaining a politics-free zone is essential. As the King and Queen prepare for their own historic trip to the U.S. this April to mark the 250th anniversary of American Independence, this week served as a sharp reminder: the King may be a "great gentleman," but he is also a Commander-in-Chief.