The King is caught in the middle – his job here is huge
This meeting felt worlds apart from Zelenskyy’s bruising clash with Trump at the White House.
Taking place in the tranquil calm of the King’s Norfolk estate, the two men met in private. No live broadcasts, no conversations on camera, just a few simple photos released.
The King and the Ukrainian president were photographed shaking hands outside and cosily smiling together beside a roaring fire.
This was all in the calendar before the Trump and Zelenskyy showdown at the Oval Office.
And as always, carefully choreographed by the government.
The King sits above politics but finds himself at the centre of difficult and delicate international diplomacy.
Just days before, Sir Keir Starmer had hand-delivered a letter from the monarch to Trump – personally inviting him for an “unprecedented” second state visit.
The King’s soft power has been hard at work. For presidents, he is the man they want to meet. For British politicians, he is a quiet weapon of diplomacy.
Although Charles has spoken out strongly on Ukraine, his discussions with Zelenskyy won’t have strayed beyond his briefing.
This audience was a moment to show support for Ukraine, without provoking the White House.
The King is caught in the middle. His job here is huge, playing a role as a unifying figure, in the face of a fractured global debate.
