Donald Trump has said that the Duke of Sussex was “not speaking for the UK” after he called for the US to show leadership over the conflict in Ukraine.
Trump's comments come after the prince delivered a lengthy, impassioned speech in Kyiv, in which he told the US to honour its obligations.
Speaking to reporters, the US president said: "Prince Harry? How's he doing? How's his wife? Please give her my regards.
"I know one thing, Prince Harry is not speaking for the UK, that's for sure. I think I am speaking for the UK more than Prince Harry."
“But I appreciate his advice very much,” he added.
Harry’s comments came during his surprise visit to the Kyiv Security Forum on Thursday, where he said he was “not here as a politician” but as “a soldier who understands service” and a “humanitarian”.
Without mentioning Trump by name, Harry said the US should "show that it can honour its international treaty obligations - not out of charity but out of its enduring role in global security and strategic stability".
Harry added: “The United States has a singular role in this story. Not only because of its power, but because when Ukraine gave up nuclear weapons, America was part of the assurance that Ukraine’s sovereignty and borders would be respected.”
Harry’s unannounced visit was his third trip to Ukraine since the war began in 2022, and came days after he left Australia, where he had visited in a private capacity with his wife, the Duchess of Sussex.
The comments come just days before King Charles is due to travel to the US for a four-day visit during which he and Queen Camilla will meet Trump.
The state visit, to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence, will start on Monday, and will also involve Charles addressing Congress, a state dinner and a commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
Trump has said the visit could “absolutely” mend relations with the UK damaged over the Iran war, with the US president being highly critical of Sir Keir Starmer and the UK government in recent weeks.
Trump said "this is not Winston Churchill we're dealing with" after Starmer initially refused to allow the US access to UK military bases at the start of the Middle East conflict.
Speaking about the King, Trump said: "He's a friend of mine. We're really looking forward to it. We've spoken and we're going to have a great time.”
