Even as Keir Starmer and his entourage heaved sighs of relief and tried not to grin too broadly as they filed out of the Oval Office after the prime minister’s meeting with Donald Trump, there were some in British circles who were, even then, anxious.
The invitation from King Charles for a second state visit had been handed over to Trump in person and opened before the cameras. Trump, for once, had seemed genuinely lost for words. Starmer had at one point put his hand on Trump’s shoulder like a close friend or relative to emphasise their closeness as the UK delegation looked on, stony-faced but amazed.
