Donald Trump has issued a surprising invitation to the former British ambassador to the US, Dame Karen Pierce.
The US President has reached out to Dame Karen ahead of his upcoming State Visit to the UK later this month.
Trump has invited Dame Karen to attend the State Banquet at Windsor Castle that will be hosted by King Charles.
The move is seen as a challenge to the authority of Lord Mandelson, the current British ambassador to the US.
Trump has invited Dame Karen to attend the State Banquet at Windsor Castle that will be hosted by King Charles.
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Lord Mandelson will also attend the State Banquet as he will be on the British side of the guest list.
The full guest list is expected to contain over 150 people, including royals, politicians and public figures with links to the UK and US.
A source told The Telegraph Dame Karen was still considered “one of the UK’s best assets”.
In July, Buckingham Palace has announced the dates of Donald Trump's UK State Visit and confirmed the King's offer has been accepted by the US President.
Lord Mandelson will also attend the State Banquet as he will be on the British side of the guest list.
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The US President and First Lady, Melania Trump, will be hosted by the King at Windsor Castle during their three-day visit.
The Palace stated: "The President of the United States of America, President Donald J. Trump, accompanied by the First Lady Mrs. Melania Trump, has accepted an invitation from His Majesty The King to pay a State Visit to the United Kingdom from 17 September to 19 September 2025."
The trip is scheduled during parliamentary recess and will notably exclude an address to Parliament.
French President Emmanuel Macron addressed Parliament during his State Visit to the UK in July.
Trump will become the first elected leader in modern times to enjoy two UK state visits, having previously been hosted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2019.
The visit will also exclude traditional state visit elements such as a stay at Buckingham Palace or a ceremonial carriage procession along the Mall.
These features have marked numerous previous state visits by world leaders.
Despite these omissions, Trump will make history as "the first elected leader in modern times to enjoy two UK state visits", an achievement he has been sharing privately with friends.
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