In a demonstration of international unity, King Charles III of the United Kingdom authored a private communication to ex-President Donald Trump. This followed the assassination attempt on Trump during a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania. The contents of the letter, sent through the UK Embassy in Washington, D.C., remain undisclosed as Buckingham Palace refrained from revealing any details.
On the evening of July 13, 2024, a gunman unleashed a hail of bullets at Trump’s rally, with one bullet grazing Trump’s ear. Unyielding amid the pandemonium, Trump lifted a bloodied fist in defiance, later stating in an interview, “Had I not turned to look at the screen at that exact moment, we would not be talking today.” The incident left him shocked, but resolute.
The assailant, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was fatally shot by Secret Service agents at the venue. A rally-goer named Corey Comperatore was tragically killed during the incident, and two others were critically injured.
King Charles’s letter echoes the sentiments of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who denounced the act of violence and expressed his condolences to Trump and the families of the victims. Starmer stressed that “political violence in any form has no place in our societies,” a sentiment shared by other global leaders including President Joe Biden. Biden urged for a decrease in political hostilities and voiced relief at Trump’s safety.
The amicable rapport between King Charles and Trump has been evident in the past. During Trump’s term as president, the then-Prince Charles welcomed Trump and his wife, Melania, for tea at Clarence House. Trump’s admiration for the King was displayed earlier this year when he publicly prayed for Charles’ quick recovery from cancer.
Though the contents of King Charles’ letter remain private, it symbolizes a shared concern that transcends political borders. This gesture underlines the significance of international unity during crises and further strengthens the historical relationship between the UK and the US.