Donald Trump is said to be keeping a royal presence close at home.
According to a new book by royal author Robert Hardman, the president displayed a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II at his Mar-a-Lago estate following her death in 2022, reportedly wanting a “permanent reminder” of the late monarch.
Both rulers met while the Queen was still alive, but reports suggest she was not particularly fond of Trump, with one source claiming she found him “very rude” during their interactions.
Donald Trump Has A Portrait Of Queen Elizabeth Hanging At Mar-A-Lago
Trump appears to have held such deep admiration for the late Queen Elizabeth that he kept a lasting reminder of her close by following her death in 2022.
In his new book, “Elizabeth II: In Private. In Public. The Inside Story,” royal author Hardman reveals that Trump set aside a dedicated space at his Mar-a-Lago residence to display the late monarch’s final official portrait.
“She was so great. I wanted to hang her picture in a room where there is no one else on the wall,” Trump is quoted in the biography, per PEOPLE.
The portrait, painted by Polish-British artist Basia Kaczmarowska-Hamilton, was the last one the Queen sat for, just four months before her passing. The piece was originally intended for the London Polish Institute.
Trump ‘Has Always Adored’ The Queen
Hardman’s revelations offer a glimpse into aspects of Trump’s private life, who has long been vocal about his admiration for the late British monarch.
Following the Queen’s death, the former real estate mogul publicly praised her warmth and generosity toward him and his wife, Melania.
“What a grand and beautiful lady she was—there was nobody like her!” Trump wrote in a statement at the time. “Our thoughts and prayers will remain with the great people of the United Kingdom as you honor her most meaningful life and exceptional service to the people. May God bless the Queen, may she reign forever in our hearts, and may God hold her and Prince Philip in abiding care.”
Queen Elizabeth May Not Have Been A Fan Of Donald Trump
While Trump has consistently expressed admiration for Queen Elizabeth, reports suggest the feeling may not have been entirely mutual.
According to PEOPLE, Elizabeth’s friend Monty Roberts shared in the 2024 documentary “The Cowboy and the Queen” that she “didn’t like” Trump.
That sentiment was echoed by author Craig Brown in his biography “A Voyage Around the Queen,” where he recounted a private conversation the Queen allegedly had following the president’s visit.
“A few weeks after President Trump’s visit, for instance, she confided in one lunch guest that she found him ‘very rude,'” Brown wrote. “She particularly disliked the way he couldn’t stop looking over her shoulder, as though in search of others more interesting.”
Trump Set To Meet King Charles This Month
King Charles III is expected to visit the United States later this month, setting up a high-profile meeting with Trump.
The trip, which will include Queen Camilla, is being framed as part of broader diplomatic engagements between the two nations, with the royal couple anticipated to spend time with Trump and Melania.
“I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect,” Trump said on the Truth Social platform. “It will be TERRIFIC!”
The visit is expected to include a formal state-style dinner at the White House, marking Charles and Camilla’s first official trip to the U.S. since his accession to the throne.
Trump Has Often Criticized The U.K.
While the upcoming visit is being presented as a celebration of the “historic connections and modern bilateral relationship” between the U.K. and the U.S., not everyone is on board. This is largely due to Trump’s recent criticism of Great Britain and its leadership.
Amid tensions surrounding the Iran conflict, Trump has publicly criticized U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, accusing him of failing to do enough to secure key global interests.
In recent times, Trump has also widely criticized the U.K. and other allies, arguing they have not done enough to protect the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz during the ongoing tensions involving Iran and Israel.
“You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us,” Trump wrote in a social media post. “Go get your own oil!”