It’s fair to say that I no longer respect the United States of America. In the light of recent events, I can’t see how anyone can still respect America or Americans. As I said a couple of days ago, I know they don’t all support Trump, but if you ask me the reputation of their country is now in the gutter, and it will take some time to get out. I heard earlier that the King is going to go over there to help them celebrate the 250th anniversary of the establishment of their country. No doubt it will involve a lot of self-congratulatory hijinx about how wonderful and special America is, and how amazing it was for them to break free of British oppression.

Frankly, I really don’t think he should go: the US is now acting so reprehensibly that surely the rest of the world has no choice but to make our disapproval explicit. I’m apparently far from alone in that opinion, with many now worrying it will cause great embarrassment to the monarchy. If you ask me, though, we brits should now be deeply regretting ever letting the Yanks try to govern themselves in the first place; but as things stand I seriously think we should do what we can to make our objection to what Trump is doing known. That includes the King staying home and refusing to participate in the American self-congratulatory festival. Perhaps above all, going would award the orange p’tahk a gravitas and respect which he does not in any way deserve.