- The modern-day world has undergone tremendous alterations over the last couple of decades, vis-à-vis the geostrategic and geopolitical scenarios are stating the obvious. The alliances, strategic partnerships, and new forging of partnerships have defined the fast-changing positions of countries in line with the necessities. For centuries, the British had ruled the whole world by adopting the divide-and-rule policy, leading to several known civilizations falling prey to the vileness of the Empire is well documented. Of course, the British rule could not have sustained for too long, leading to a gradual independence of nations once occupied by the Empire. However, royalty in the UK continues, though ceremonially, garnering the attention of the world often.
- It’s not surprising that the UK has lost the traction and heft that it enjoyed not so long ago, as other countries in the pecking order have moved ahead. Nonetheless, visiting world leaders are still accorded royal treatment, showing glimpses of pomp and pageantry that never cease to amuse. One such show was on display when the UK royally flattered Trump during his recent visit. Needless to mention, democracies should find virtue in simplicity rather than showcase cringeworthy grandiosity far from the reality of the present-day world. Why such out-of-the-way royal treatment was extended to Trump is unknown. While the BBC aired Brazil prez Lula’s view that Trump isn’t the emperor of the world, the British establishment tried otherwise.
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- For the uninitiated, Charles and Camilla showed him around Windsor Castle, gave him a horse-carriage ride, and fed him at a state banquet in St George’s Hall. That’s part of playing royal in the 21st century, whether you are the raja of an erstwhile Indian state, making a living off a hilltop castle-turned-hotel, or the Windsors maintained at the expense of the British public. Royalty – gun salutes and bearskin hats – is little more than theme park entertainment now. And the customer – Trump, in this case – must be satisfied. By the look of it, Trump was pleased as punch with his royal treatment, and a day of pageantry helped the UK net $204bn worth of US investment promises. Mind you, they are only promises. Would it materialize? No one knows.
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- For the UK, which was already a distant second economically – with less than a third of US GDP – by the time of the first US presidential visit in 1918, royal charm offensives, such as the one unleashed on Trump, are a necessity. Without colonies, it’s just a small, ageing island state. It’s already slipped to sixth place in terms of nominal GDP, behind India, and the economy has remained lacklustre since Brexit. So, good for it that Trump and many other world leaders still hanker for the trappings of royalty. But considering that WWII and the age of empires ended 80 years ago, simplicity should have become the reigning virtue by now. Leaders like Trump love attention, and the British establishment simply succeeded in serving his elephantine ego.
