From showing solidarity with Volodymyr Zelensky to inviting US President Donald Trump for an historic state visit, Britain’s diplomatic drive over Ukraine has a surprising pivotal figure: King Charles III.
The UK head of state may be politically neutral, but that has not stopped the Labour government from calling upon him three times in recent days to aid international diplomacy efforts.
Charles helped smooth Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to the White House last week before separately welcoming Zelensky and Canadian leader Justin Trudeau to his country retreat in Norfolk.
“It’s slightly unusual, but I think it’s a very good use of the royals,” professor Pauline Maclaran at Royal Holloway University of London said of the flurry of meetings.
“Their big asset is this soft power that they can provide, and I think it was much needed at this time,” the royal expert told AFP.
The 76-year-old monarch appears all-too-happy …