Private exchanges reveal how the late monarch left the former US president impressed
A new book has shed light on a private meeting between Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II, revealing how the late monarch’s diplomatic style left a lasting impression.
In The Queen and Her Presidents: The Hidden Hand That Shaped History, journalist Susan Page recounts an exchange that highlighted the Queen’s careful approach to sensitive questions.
During their conversation, Trump reportedly asked the monarch who her favourite US president had been, a question that could easily have led to controversy. Staying true to her long-standing approach, the Queen avoided naming anyone directly.
“They were all so good,” she replied, offering a neutral answer that revealed little.
Trump, however, continued to press for a more specific response. He mentioned past leaders, including Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon, but the Queen maintained the same measured tone each time, refusing to single anyone out.
The former president then shifted his questioning toward British figures, bringing up Winston Churchill. Yet again, the Queen declined to be drawn into offering a preference.
“They were all so good… they worked so hard,” she responded, keeping her remarks consistently positive.
According to the book, the exchange left Trump impressed by the monarch’s discipline. Reflecting on the moment, he is said to have recognised her approach as a form of strategic diplomacy.
“I couldn’t get her to say a bad thing about anybody. How genius is this?” he reportedly remarked.
The interaction, as described in the book, offers a glimpse into how the Queen carefully navigated conversations with world leaders, maintaining neutrality while avoiding any remarks that could spark headlines.
