Royal invitation confirmed as U.S. weighs $400M aircraft gift from Qatar
The British royal family is reportedly preparing to host former U.S. President Donald Trump this September, with King Charles extending a personal invitation as part of ongoing diplomatic outreach.
Following Trump’s inauguration, the monarch reached out with an offer to visit Balmoral Castle in Scotland — a move seen as part of King Charles’s growing involvement in soft diplomacy amid past tensions between the U.S. and European leaders.
While Buckingham Palace has confirmed that the invitation was sent, insiders say discussions are still underway to finalise the date and location for the meeting.
Ahead of the UK visit, Trump is scheduled to tour the Middle East, with stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. During this time, ABC News reported that Qatar’s ruling Al-Thani family may gift the United States a Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet — worth around $400 million — as a potential replacement for Air Force One.
However, Qatari officials have downplayed the reports, clarifying that the aircraft offer is still under review. “The possible transfer of an aircraft for temporary use as Air Force One is currently under consideration,” said Ali Al-Ansari, Qatar’s Media Attaché to the U.S., adding that legal teams on both sides are evaluating the proposal.
As Trump’s travel plans take shape and diplomatic discussions continue, the anticipated meeting with King Charles could signal a renewed phase in UK-U.S. relations driven by royal engagement and symbolic diplomacy.
