Donald Trump has suggested he will sign the United States up as an “associate member” of the Commonwealth because of his “love” for the King.
The US president, who has been invited to visit the King in Scotland later this year, posted a message on his Truth Social platform, sharing a link to a news story headlined “King Charles to make ‘secret offer’ to Donald Trump during State visit”.
The article details how the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS), an independent charity, hopes to invite the US to become an official affiliate of the Commonwealth.
The US president shared a link to a version of the story written by The Sun newspaper on social media, saying: “I Love King Charles. Sounds good to me!”
The idea, originally reported by The Telegraph back in 2017 during Mr Trump’s first term, has seemingly been revived for his second term. The new story reads: King Charles will reportedly make a “secret offer” to Donald Trump during his state visit.
It comes as the monarch comes under pressure to show more support to Canada, the Commonwealth realm where he is King, which has been threatened with annexation by Mr Trump.
The Commonwealth currently has 56 member countries, with the King as its head. Most are members of the former British Empire, although the last four countries to join it have no historic ties.
The US offer is “being discussed at the highest levels”, a source told the Daily Mail. It is not known whether the palace or the Government have been involved in any such discussions, with plans for Mr Trump’s visit to the UK still being finalised.
The RCS is described as “non-partisan [and] independent of governments”, and aims to promote literacy, equality, and protecting the environment throughout the Commonwealth.
The idea of inviting America to become an associate member of the Commonwealth has previously been promoted by Nigel Farage, who in 2017 is reported to have passed a letter from Michael Lake, then the director of the RCS, to Steve Bannon, then the president’s chief strategist.
At the time, it was said that the idea had the “blessing” of Elizabeth II, but this has not been confirmed.
The King is expected to host the president at Balmoral or Dumfries House later this year, with a full state visit to come.
When Mr Trump was handed a letter from the King by Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, during a White House meeting last month, he said: “The answer is yes. We look forward to being there and honouring the King and honouring your country.
“Your country is a fantastic country and it’ll be our honour to be there.”
He added of the King: “Beautiful man, a wonderful man and we appreciate… I’ve known him, gotten to know him very well actually.”
There is no precedent for “associate membership” of the Commonwealth.
All 56 countries that are currently part of the “family of nations” are full members described as “independent and equal”.
The Commonwealth’s eligibility criteria states that an “applicant country should, as a general rule, have had a historic constitutional association with an existing Commonwealth member, save in exceptional circumstances”.
Countries must also comply with the Commonwealth’s “fundamental values, principles, and priorities” including being a democracy, having transparent public accounts, protection of human rights, and acknowledge the King as Head of the Commonwealth.
The American colonies declared independence from Britain in 1776, with the US planning major events to celebrate the 250th anniversary next year.
The Commonwealth Secretariat, the official organisation which has strict criteria about accepting new members, is a separate organisation to the RCS.
If a country wishes to apply, via an invitation or otherwise, it must make an expression of interest and undertake an “informal assessment” by the Commonwealth’s Secretary-General.
The Secretary-General will then consult with member states, and may invite a formal application which requires evidence of the “functioning of democratic processes and popular support in that country for joining the Commonwealth”.
The application would then be considered by the Heads of Government at the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which takes place every two years.
The last four countries to join the voluntary association were Mozambique, Rwanda, Gabon and Togo.
A “Nordic-Baltic Hub” was opened by the RCS to persuade Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden to join the Commonwealth, and the RCS set up an office in Ireland.
The RCS has not yet responded to a request for comment on the story.
