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UK envoy's remarks spark diplomatic unease during royal visit
The United Kingdom's ambassador to the United States, Sir Christian Turner, has suggested that Israel-not Britain-is the only country with a true "special relationship" with Washington, according to leaked comments reported as King Charles III began a state visit to America.
Private comments surface amid royal diplomacy
The Financial Times published the remarks on Tuesday, just as the King arrived at the White House. The timing has amplified discomfort, given the visit's goal of reinforcing UK-US ties at a moment of strained relations between Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and former US President Donald Trump.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) dismissed the comments as "private, informal" and unrepresentative of the government's stance.
Ambassador questions outdated phrase
In a leaked audio recording from a February meeting with British sixth-form students in Washington, Sir Christian said he avoided the term "special relationship" because it felt "nostalgic" and "backwards-looking."
"I think there is probably one country that has a special relationship with the United States, and that is probably Israel."
Sir Christian Turner, UK Ambassador to the US
He acknowledged deep historical and security cooperation between the UK and US but argued the dynamic was evolving. "We in Europe can't just rely on a US security umbrella," he said, urging the UK to clarify its value to Washington.
Criticism and defense of the remarks
Former Foreign Secretary Jack Straw endorsed Sir Christian's view, noting that US military subsidies to Israel set it apart. However, ex-British ambassador Lord Darroch called the leak a "betrayal" and a "massive breach of trust," though he conceded the substance reflected widespread sentiment in Westminster.
Diplomats are understood to have quietly abandoned the phrase "special relationship," which some consider outdated.
Broader controversies resurface
Sir Christian also weighed in on the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, calling it "extraordinary" that no prominent US figures had faced consequences, while the controversy had ensnared former Prince Andrew and his predecessor, Lord Peter Mandelson.
Both men have denied wrongdoing, though Mandelson apologized for his association with Epstein. The ambassador's remarks risk reviving scrutiny of the case as the King and Queen face pressure to meet Epstein survivors during their visit-a request they have declined.
Diplomatic fallout
The White House has not commented on the leak. Sir Christian, appointed ambassador in December, has not publicly addressed the recording. An FCDO spokesperson reiterated that the comments were informal and not official policy.
