Analysis by Sean Coughlan, Royal Correspondent
Prince William was rushed to this meeting in Paris with President-elect Donald Trump, as in the old days of air ambulance.
Although what needs saving in this case is the well-being of the special relationship between the US and the UK.
It is an important link for both sides – and for wider military ties such as NATO – but there is not much empathy between Starmer’s Labor government and the New Republicans.
So taxpayer-funded royals are headed in to smooth the way, with Prince William taking on the role of statesman, meeting Trump ahead of the reopening of Notre Dame.
Trump is a fan of the royal family, so that could make for a more positive connection. The last time Prince William met Trump was in 2019 during the then-president’s visit to Great Britain, where Trump spoke with great enthusiasm about his meeting with the late Queen Elizabeth II.
But there is a big contrast in their styles. Prince William’s flagship project is his environmental award Earthshot, while Trump has dismissed efforts to promote clean energy as a “scam.”
This week, Prince William went to a dinner for the homeless charity Passage, and on Friday night he helped with the “kindness tree” outside Westminster Abbey.
The Kindness Tree and the Housing and Climate Change Campaign aren’t quite the Make America Great Again style.
But the purpose of this hastily arranged meeting will be a royal offensive to help build bridges in an uncertain time for the Western alliances.
