King Charles has reportedly complained about the Lord Mandelson scandal being a “distraction” just days before US President Donald Trump‘s scheduled visit to the UK. The US President and the First Lady are set to touch down in the UK on September 16.
Ahead of the US President’s arrival on Tuesday, a diplomatic source said: “The Palace has been grumbling about how unhelpful it all is. Charles regards it as an unwelcome distraction.”
The scandal has caused embarrassment for Prime Minister Keir Starmer following his sacking of the Labour peer over his links to Jeffrey Epstein. This has not only left Britain without an ambassador to Washington at a crucial time, but has also shone an unwelcome spotlight on Prince Andrew‘s connections with the convicted paedophile.
With final preparations for the visit underway, Downing Street sources have claimed that Lord Mandelson was “economical with the truth” when questioned by the Prime Minister about his relationship with Epstein.
Downing Street confirmed the decision to sack Lord Mandelson on Thursday, citing the “depth and extent” of his friendship with Epstein as “materially different” from what was disclosed during his vetting for the ambassadorship.
Lord Mandelson has said he “regrets” his friendship with Epstein and that more “very embarrassing” details of his friendship with the paedophile financier will come out.
Lord Mandelson, who was appointed in December 2024 shortly after Labour’s election victory, had been tasked with leading Britain’s post-Brexit trade relations with Washington.
He played a visible role in negotiations earlier this year, meeting Donald Trump to finalise a landmark deal.
The dismissal followed the release of US congressional documents containing previously undisclosed emails and photographs of Lord Mandelson with Epstein. Among the material was a note in which Lord Mandelson described Epstein as “my best pal” in a 50th birthday message.
The public will not get a chance to greet Donald Trump on the first day of his UK state visit, Buckingham Palace have announced.
Engagements will be held within the grounds of the private Windsor estate instead.
The carriage procession will be confined to Home Park. Mr Trump will also not be heading to London to see the Grave of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey.