Donald Trump Prince Harry fall out: US president says Duke of Sussex “not speaking for the UK” - why have they fallen out?

Donald Trump has responded to Prince Harry’s impassioned speech on Ukraine saying he “is not speaking for the UK”. The response comes after the Duke of Sussex delivered a lengthy speech at the Kyiv Security Forum on Thursday (April 24).

Responding to the speech Harry made during a surprise visit to Ukraine, the US president told reporters: “I know one thing, Prince Harry is not speaking for the UK, that’s for sure. I think I am speaking for the UK more than Prince Harry.”

“But I appreciate his advice very much,” he added. Mr Trump went on to ask: “How’s he doing? How’s his wife? Please give her my regards.”

During his speech, Harry said he was “not here as a politician” but as “a soldier who understands service” and a “humanitarian”. In a rare input on global matters, the King’s youngest son turned his attention to the US – although he did not mention Mr Trump by name – urging the “American leadership” to “honour its international treaty obligations” in its “enduring role in global security”.

He said: “The United States has a singular role in this story. Not only because of its power, but because when Ukraine gave up nuclear weapons, America was part of the assurance that Ukraine’s sovereignty and borders would be respected. This is a moment for American leadership, a moment for America, to show that it can honour its international treaty obligations – not out of charity but out of its enduring role in global security and strategic stability.”

Harry’s unannounced visit – his third trip to Ukraine since the war began in 2022 – comes days after he finished a tour to Australia with his wife, the Duchess of Sussex. Harry stopped in the UK on his journey to Ukraine but only to transit through.

It comes just days before the King and Queen are due to travel to the US for a four-day visit during which they will meet Mr Trump. The President has said the state visit could “absolutely” mend relations with the UK damaged over the Iran war.

He also hailed Charles as a “great man” and said the royal couple’s trip would be “a positive” in an interview with the BBC on Thursday (April 24). Mr Trump also warned he does not think Sir Keir Starmer “has a chance” of repairing the relationship unless he changes direction, including cracking down on immigration.

As well as policy differences, the two leaders have been at loggerheads over the Middle East conflict, with the president deriding the Prime Minister as weak and indecisive. Charles and Camilla arrive in the US on Monday (April 27) where they will be guests of honour at a White House banquet as well as Charles invited to address a joint meeting of the US Congress.

Asked by the BBC whether the King’s trip will help repair strained transatlantic relations, Mr Trump said: “Absolutely. He’s fantastic. He’s a fantastic man. Absolutely the answer is yes. I know him well, I’ve known him for years. He’s a brave man, and he’s a great man. They would absolutely be a positive.”

In a video shared on X by the US Department of State, Mr Trump said: “I look forward to having King Charles come. He’s a friend of mine. We’ve spoken and we’re going to have a great time.”