@edowens
Royal historian, broadcaster & author of books on the British monarchy incl: "After Elizabeth" & "The Family Firm". TV/film incl: BBC, Ch4, CNN, Netflix https://edowens.com/ https://www.northbanktalent.com/ Currently: education, IBDP & critical thinking
I think cancellation extremely unlikely, but Trump's acceptance of the invitation does give the UK a little more control than it would have otherwise had. The threat of delay/cancellation could work indirectly to limit the Trump administration's further alignment with Russia's aims.
PS. although the withdrawal of the state visit is possible if the US-Ukrainian relationship proves irreparable and UK/Europe is further alienated by the Trump administration, I think it ultimately v unlikely given the likely fallout for UK-US relations and the reputational damage to the Starmer gov.
The UK gov would have been party to discussions regarding Zelenksy's visit to see King Charles - indeed, probably the gov instigated it. This says a lot for the UK gov's support for Zelensky with Britain positioning itself as interlocutor between the Americans and Ukrainians.
Could Trump's second state visit suddenly become an important bargaining chip, with the threat of the withdrawal of the king's invitation (again unprecedent and a potential blow to the US president's ego) working to urge him towards adopting a softer posture in relation to Zelensky? 2/2
We knew that royal diplomacy would be deployed by the UK gov to help buttress Britain's relationship with the Trump administration. But no-one foresaw that King Charles might actually play a key role in helping to ease tensions between the Ukrainians and US. 1/2
www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family...
Far from a "worrying trend", this is the norm & it's getting worse. The royals can't stand the public knowing what they really get up to behind the scenes of British politics. This kind of secrecy is inexcusable & casts shame on the UK's democracy. Time to end it
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Interested in the histories of material culture, museums, and/or East Africa? Our recent conference supported by @britishacademy.bsky.social & @paulmelloncentr.bsky.social is now available to view:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8Zz... [youtube.com]
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMVf... [youtube.com]
David Olusoga and I discuss the historical denialism on Empire with which Black Lives Matter was met.
howtoacademy.com/podcasts/dav...
I’m launching a new monthly live programme via Zoom and recorded for YouTube as part of Republic’s expanding digital content.
Beyond the Royal Headlines will give you an opportunity to find out more about the monarchy, the constitution and the alternatives. 👇
www.republic.org.uk/beyond_the_r...
"Prince Andrew’s money worries remind us of who funds the royal family as a whole, and whether the public, who are happy to have a monarchy, is still happy to have a king on these very questionable and expensive terms."
"When the sheer extent and the sources of the incomes from the two duchies is revealed, even the monarchists among us will be asking apparently Leninist questions."
"Unfortunately, Charles and his siblings were brought up to believe that they were entitled to the incomes from the two duchies, and that prodigious wealth — let us be honest, truly disgusting amounts of wealth — were theirs as of right."
A really strong and good piece from AN Wilson on the problems of King Charles's finances and his wayward brother:
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
Some of the best quotes included here:
The royals are struggling to rebrand post-Elizabeth II. And Andrew's part of the problem. It was a pleasure to speak to Town & Country about this:
www.townandcountrymag.com/society/trad...
How do you solve a problem like Prince Andrew? My thoughts in this @the-independent.com piece:
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
I'm quoted in this @nytimes.com piece on Trump's admiration for the UK royals and what this could mean for future diplomacy
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/11/w...
Catherine Bennett offering far and away the best and most honest analysis of the monarchy's hypocrisy in today's Observer.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Thanks mate
Today I cut down a cherry tree, cooked a Basque chicken stew, and joined @bsky.app. Hooray for chainsaws, paprika, and relative calm and tranquility.
