Donald Trump reversed course on his controversial remarks about British troops in Afghanistan after concerns from King Charles were quietly passed to the White House, according to multiple reports.
Just two days earlier, the former US president had sparked widespread anger in the UK by suggesting that NATO allies, including Britain, had remained “a little back” from frontline fighting during the Afghanistan war. The comments were widely seen as dismissive of the role played by British forces and the sacrifices they made over two decades of conflict.
Following behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts, Trump publicly shifted his tone. He praised UK soldiers as “among the greatest of all warriors” and said Britain fought with “tremendous heart and soul” throughout the war. Sources say the King’s deep concern about the hurt caused by Trump’s remarks was relayed through confidential diplomatic channels, contributing to the sudden change in rhetoric.
A British official noted that it is always expected that the monarch, as Commander-in-Chief, would stand up for the armed forces and their record of service and sacrifice. Another source said it was made clear that the King was troubled by the pain caused, regardless of whether the original comments were intentional.
Trump, who has frequently spoken admiringly of the Royal Family, reportedly took the message seriously. During his second state visit to the UK last September, he described King Charles as “a great gentleman and a great King.” Charles and Queen Camilla are also expected to visit the United States in April as part of events marking the 250th anniversary of American independence.
The reversal also followed a direct phone call from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who stressed the shared sacrifices of British and American troops who fought together in Afghanistan.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump wrote that British soldiers would “always be with the United States of America,” noting that 457 UK service members were killed and many more injured. He called the bond between the two nations unbreakable and praised the UK military as “second to none,” adding that he and the US “love you all.”
Downing Street later confirmed the call, saying the Prime Minister had raised the bravery of both British and American soldiers and emphasized that their sacrifices must never be forgotten.
Trump’s original remarks were made during an appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he claimed the US had “never needed” NATO allies and suggested British troops had stayed away from the front lines. The comments were especially offensive to many in the UK, given the 457 British military deaths between 2001 and 2021 during the Afghanistan conflict.
The United States remains the only NATO country to have invoked Article 5, the alliance’s collective defense clause, after the September 11 attacks in 2001 an action that led allies, including the UK, into the war.
Prince Harry, who served in Afghanistan, also criticized Trump’s remarks. He said lifelong friendships were formed during the conflict, lives were lost, and families were forever changed. He emphasized that those sacrifices deserve to be discussed honestly and with respect.
Despite Trump’s praise, some veterans said his response did not go far enough. Afghan war veteran Martyn Compton, who suffered severe injuries during a Taliban attack in 2006, said Trump never actually apologized. He argued that British soldiers were on the front lines and that many continue to live with physical and psychological wounds.
Compton, who fought alongside American troops, described them as brothers in arms and said Trump’s earlier words were deeply insulting to families who lost loved ones. He said the remarks reopened old trauma and insisted that a simple apology would have meant far more than praise after the fact.
According to Compton, the sacrifices made by British soldiers and their families deserve clear respect and accountability for words that diminish their service.
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