In the dot-to-dot of diplomacy – drawing relationships that are worth something – the meeting between the prince and the president-elect was a moment which the British diplomats who made it happen will be thrilled with.
When Donald Trump became US president for the first time, in 2016, the British, along with many other countries, were caught short. They hadn’t expected the Trump win and hadn’t done their homework.
British diplomatic contacts with Mr Trump’s transition team back then (which was itself novice compared to this time) were poor.
This time things are different. British ambassador Karen Pierce and her team in Washington are on good terms with the Trump team and close contacts have been established over months with the president-elect’s surrogates, senior staff and cabinet picks.
British embassy staff will have been in West Palm Beach, Florida, along with diplomats from many other countries, shuttling for meetings with Mr Trump’s team and reading the tea leaves on who’s in and who’s out.
The 40-minute meeting in Paris with Prince William would have been fixed through the contacts cultivated over the past few months in Florida.
The prince, who was Britain’s representative at the Notre-Dame Cathedral reopening, would have received a full brief from British diplomats before the meeting on talking points and issues of strategic importance.
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The debrief after the meeting will have been as important as the brief before.
Royal soft power can go a long way
While the Royal Family has no role in forming or moulding British foreign policy, the soft power of the royals can go a long way.
The bet by the British is that Mr Trump will have enjoyed being the guest of a prince inside what is widely thought to be Britain’s finest embassy.
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We know that Mr Trump loves flattery, he loves pomp and he loves grandeur, notwithstanding the rather bizarre macho handshake – the president-elect almost pushing the prince away as he shook his hand.
It was on brand: “I know I am the guest, and I am enjoying this, but I am in charge. Remember that,” seemed to be the vibe it reflected.
French diplomats in Washington have been working hard too.
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President Macron‘s desire to invite Mr Trump to Paris would have come first as a “would he be interested” nudge from the Elysee Palace to the French ambassador in Washington who would then have put feelers out to Mr Trump’s top team.
And why all the bending over backwards to secure meetings with Mr Trump, to invite him to things, to flatter him?
Because while he doesn’t become president until 20 January he is already the leading player on the world stage.
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What he does and what he doesn’t do, what he says and doesn’t say is already carrying enormous weight such is his leadership style, his pronouncements and the state of the world right now.
