Therese Raphael, Columnist

Britain's Royal Treatment of Trump Could Prove Shrewd

Britain may no longer have an empire, but it can still use the majesty of its palaces and other imperial trappings to advance its interests.

February 8, 2017 at 6:50 AM UTC

By Therese Raphael

Therese Raphael is a columnist for Bloomberg Opinion covering health care and British politics. Previously, she was editorial page editor of the Wall Street Journal Europe.

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A state visit is a big deal in Britain. There are generally only about two per year; most foreign heads come on working visits or on trips that are designated as official visits. Of the 109 state visits since 1952, only two have been U.S. presidents: George W. Bush's 2003 visit and Barack Obama in 2011.

Yet Prime Minister Theresa May wasted no time in offering one to U.S. President Donald Trump during her visit in January for later this year. Trump, whose drive for adulation -- earned or not -- knows no bounds, promptly accepted the invitation.