Status, Opulence, Princess Diana – Donald Trump’s 70-Year Admiration for the British Monarchy

When the coronation of Queen Elizabeth aired around the world, a young boy was glued to a monochrome television in New York City.

His Scottish mother remained mesmerized before the screen, not moving all day of 2 June 1953.

The young viewer would grow up to be Donald Trump.

As an adult, as a real estate tycoon, he wrote about the influence his mother’s love of the royal family had on him within the pages of The Art of the Deal.

He attributed his "flair for drama" to her influence, noting she was "captivated by the ceremony and tradition."

His profound interest for royal splendor – alongside his personal sense of display – is set to be on full display when Trump journeys back to Windsor on his repeat diplomatic tour to the UK.

The formal request from the King was hand-delivered by the British PM Keir Starmer during a meeting, viewed as a direct appeal to Trump’s fondness of grand events.

Trump’s trip to the UK will be history-making – he is the first and only commander-in-chief asked a pair of official visits.

Earlier, he was received by the late Queen Elizabeth II during an event at Windsor Castle, and his mother was foremost in his thoughts.

One-time national security advisor, Fiona Hill, observed that he repeatedly discussed his mother’s high regard for the royal family.

Being introduced to the Queen during his presidency was a deep desire as it represented the "ultimate sign that he had made it."

In the wake of the memorable meeting, he remarked to Piers Morgan via the press: "I was walking, I was saying, ‘Can you imagine my mother seeing this sight?’"

The attraction for the royals was apparent from the beginning.

Wes Blackman who advised Trump for 10 years recalls the mogul seeking to "stimulate interest" in his Florida property by mentioning Diana’s name as a prospective member.

Trump was viewed at the time as an outsider, and local papers quoted elite circles who were doubtful of the claimed royal interest.

"This appears to be a typical Trump move to boost prestige," a countess was cited as saying.

An insider with the marketing efforts shared that Trump offered the then-Prince a free one-year membership, but got back a polite decline.

Instead, the response proposed he consider contribute to environmental causes.

The planner noted too how Trump was captivated with the reply.

"Throughout, it’s been a major point for Donald Trump to be seen as historic," he said.

Back in the eighties, the press suggested that the royal couple were considering buying a luxury condo in Trump Tower.

The rumour, observers noted, was almost certainly put out by Trump himself.

An official rebuttal was subsequently released by the royal household, stating "there was no truth."

A former representative for the Queen noted that Trump did not feature on the royals’ awareness at that time.

"People have been doing it since the year dot," he said. "Their policy is never complain."

Trump himself mentioned the incident in The Art of the Deal, stating he did not verify or rebut the rumour, adding it boosted Trump Tower.

More than two decades later, he reportedly extended an invitation to the Prince to his wedding to Melania Knauss.

The celebration was held in his Florida estate, in a grand ballroom modeled after Louis XIV’s Hall of Mirrors.

Royal watcher Kristen Meinzer notes Trump has spent a lifetime trying to model himself in the same mould as the royals.

"When he bought Mar a Lago, he effectively adopted the coat of arms of the previous owners," she said.

In Trump’s eyes, the British throne holds a international standing that he longs for.

"The royal family is the peak of high society that he’s always wanted to gain entry to," says analyst Peter Harris.

"Additionally is he just wants tabloid media… it merges these worlds in one family."

He can go there, he expects he’ll get adulation, great photo opportunities, meet the King, and no one will say anything bad in their presence.

One royal especially gained Trump’s interest.

He wrote in The Art of the Comeback that his only "disappointment in the dating scene" was that he missed the option to pursue Diana.

He said she "lit up the room" and was "the ideal woman."

However, per former BBC presenter Selina Scott, Trump made efforts to date Princess Diana after her separation from Prince Charles.

In her account, Diana told her that Trump induced "uncomfortable," and grew worried as orchids were sent repeatedly at her residence.

After her passing, in a 1997 interview, Trump claimed that he might have slept with the late Princess.

But in 2016, he denied any personal attraction, and only considered her to be "beautiful."

His comments on additional female members in the monarchy have been less flattering.

Years ago, he criticized Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, for unauthorized images taken while she was on vacation.

Trump has also called Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, "terrible" and "unlikable," while she characterized him as "controversial" and "misogynistic."

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