Can King Charles make Trump ‘back down’ on Falklands? Veteran speaks out

The diplomatic rift between the US and UK has deepened as the Trump administration is adamant on reviewing Britain’s position on Falkland Island.

The move is often seen as the US' push to punish Britain for its lack of support in the Iran conflict.

Diplomatic heat between Washington and London is not going to simmer down any time soon as Downing Street officials hit back on Trump’s review claim, citing “the sovereignty of Falklands rests with Britain” and the islanders' right to self-determination is paramount.

Amidst the strained relations, the next week's state visit of King Charles III to the US offers a hope that things could settle down. 

The King and Queen Camilla are scheduled to arrive in Washington this Monday on April 27, 2026 for a four-day visit to mark the 250th anniversary of US independence.

Falklands War veteran Simon Watson also made an appeal, urging King Charles to make Trump back down on Islands.

Talking to BBC Newsnight Weston said, “The visit of King Charles III could not come at a better time. I hope the King would just kind of get him to back down and calm down over the Falklands.”

"He's [Trump] paying absolutely no heed to the humanity that he's abusing with his words because the people of the Falklands deserve more respect, but so do every veteran who served down there deserve more respect,” he added.

Weston also said, Trump’s hissy fit over the sovereignty of the islands makes people’s “sacrifices feel slightly irrelevant.”

On Friday, Argentina's President Javier Milei, posted on social media claiming sovereignty over The Malvines, also called Falkland Islands.

Responding to it, Weston said, “What we don't need is Mr Milei to raise his sleeves and believe that aggression may work because that would just cost more lives.”

Weston served as a Welsh Guardsman during the 1982 war and he suffered critically burned injuries in the RFA Galahad attack.