Trump Flattery Pays Off for Starmer With Pitfalls Averted (2)

With golden carriages, military splendor and an opulent banquet, the UK’s royal gambit paid off this week, as President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer concluded an historic state visit by hailing the trans-Atlantic relationship and — at least publicly — smoothing over their policy differences.

Appearing before reporters Thursday at the close of Trump’s two-day trip, the US president still seemed dazzled by the previous day’s events at Windsor Castle, calling it a “spectacular honor” and describing King Charles III and Queen Camilla as “amazing people.”

It was exactly the kind of response UK officials had been hoping ...