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By CNN Royal Correspondent Max Foster, Kathy Rose O'Brien and Billy Stockwell in London

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The British royal family has historically played a vital role in strengthening ties between the United States and United Kingdom, keeping the so-called “special relationship” between the two countries alive.

And as Elon Musk, one of US President-elect Donald Trump’s closest allies, scraps with the UK’s government, some believe Britain could be making more use of one of its oldest diplomatic assets. Even this week, Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, visited the US on behalf of the King to pay his respects to former President Jimmy Carter, who died aged 100 in December.

It could therefore be of some comfort to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is keen to build trust with the Trump administration, that the incoming president has a soft spot for the clan, particularly the late Queen Elizabeth II.

In 2019, following his last state visit to the UK, Trump delivered a flurry of compliments directed at members of the family. “I have such a great relationship, and we were laughing and having fun,” Trump told Fox News just after the trip to London, when he met the late Queen.

Trump particularly admires the family’s celebrity and the way they represent a more traditional social authority, according to Ed Owens, a royal historian and author of “After Elizabeth: Can the Monarchy Save Itself?”

“They are some of the best-known people in the world and he’d like to think that he’s the best-known person in the world,” he told CNN.

More recently, Trump made equally flattering comments about the heir to the British throne, Prince William, whom he met in Paris at the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in December. “He’s doing a fantastic job,” Trump said of William, calling him a “good man.”

“I had a great talk with the prince,” Trump later told The New York Post. “He’s a good-looking guy… He looked really very handsome last night. Some people look better in person. He looked great. He looked really nice, and I told him that.”

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Trump’s gushing remarks about William – although perhaps not the most typical display of diplomacy – will be welcomed by those concerned about the future of UK-US relations, particularly as prominent figures in the governing Labour party have previously hit out against the divisive incoming president.

“Keir Starmer and Donald Trump don’t see eye to eye on everything, or at least they’re not going to see eye to eye on everything,” Owens said, adding that the royals “can, in a way, distract from that fact.”

“The fact that (Trump) is deferential to the British royal family, impressed by them, I think that bodes well for the UK, if the UK can use the royals strategically,” he said.

Royal commentator and author Sally Bedell Smith agreed that the family can “conceivably play a role in softening the atmosphere, which is pretty tense right now.”

This “soft power” influence is nothing new. Generations of royals have been helping to keep the bond between the UK and US tight.

The late Queen went to great lengths to have a good relationship with past US presidents, and got to know 13 during her 70-year reign, Smith told CNN. “That was just a vital piece of British foreign policy.”

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Famously, in the early 1960s, as the youthful John F. Kennedy came into power, the royal family helped the UK to strengthen its links with this “new, dynamic, exciting America” at a time when Britain felt like a “slightly outdated place,” Owens added.

However, in the modern age there is little doubt that Trump and key members of the royal clan will not agree on everything, notably the need to take action to tackle climate change.

Both Prince William and his father, King Charles III, have been vocal advocates for climate action. Meanwhile, Trump successfully campaigned on a three-word energy policy – “Drill, baby, drill” – and recently said that he wants a policy where no windmills are being built across the country.

These strong views will not stop the royals speaking out about issues they believe in, Owens said, but there is a limit to their influence. “I don’t imagine that the King is going to give up, he’s going to continue to emphasize the importance of (climate action),” he said.

“But he will do so delicately. He knows that he has no serious role to play in American politics,” Owens added.

While the British royals may have no official role in US politics, the soft power they yield will help to smooth a potentially bumpy road between Washington and London, and is a vital part of the UK government’s strategy for ensuring the bonds between the two countries remain strong.

The Prince and Princess of Wales/X

It was Kate’s birthday on Thursday and William paid tribute to his “incredible” 43-year-old wife on the couple’s joint social media accounts. Following the prince and princess’ tradition of releasing a photo on family occasions, William posted a previously unseen black and white portrait of Kate, taken by photographer Matt Porteous last summer in Windsor. The snap was accompanied by a heartfelt message in which William praised his wife, saying: “The strength you’ve shown over the last year has been remarkable.” Read more here. 

Harry and Meghan pitch in as wildfires rage in California. 

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are understood to have donated clothing, children’s items and other essential supplies to people affected by the wildfires that have ravaged Los Angeles in recent days. The couple are also believed to have offered their home to friends and loved ones who have been forced to evacuate. Prince Harry and Meghan relocated to the United States in 2020, settling in Montecito with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Multiple wildfires are burning in Los Angeles County. At least 10 people are known to have died but the actual toll remains unclear until authorities can safely access neighborhoods, officials have said. The couple said on their website: “In the last few days, wildfires in Southern California have raged through neighborhoods and devastated families, homes, schools, medical care centers, and so much more – affecting tens of thousands from all walks of life.” They urged people to invite evacuated friends into their homes and suggested donating supplies if they are able to. The pair also provided a list of resources, highlighting groups and initiatives operating in the area.

Ethan Swope/AP

King’s quiet donation to Syrian humanitarian work. 

King Charles made a donation to the International Rescue Committee UK to support its emergency humanitarian work in Syria, according to the organization. Khusbu Patel, the acting executive director of the IRC UK, said the monarch’s donation underlined “his deep commitment to addressing urgent global challenges, and helping people affected by humanitarian crises to survive, recover and rebuild their lives.” Charles, who has been UK patron of the IRC for several years, highlighted the “tireless” work of humanitarian organizations around the world and the “devastating effects of conflict” in his Christmas message. Syria ranks fourth on the IRC's 2025 Emergency Watchlist of countries most likely to experience a deteriorating humanitarian crisis.

Courtesy Netflix

Earlier this week, Meghan shared a touching tribute to her beloved rescue beagle Guy, who has died. The duchess posted a video on Instagram, saying he was “the best guy any girl could have asked for.” He had been by Meghan’s side since 2015, when she saved him from a kill shelter in the US, and he features in the duchess’ new Netflix TV show, which starts next week. The trailer for “With Love, Meghan” shows Meghan cooking, working in the garden and spending time with famous friends in a beautiful Montecito home. The show will celebrate “the small, personal moments that bring delight to those we cherish,” according to the streamer, revealing “the kitchen door opens” on January 15, with all eight episodes dropping at the same time. Read more here. 

"Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Pettifer family and all those innocent people who have been tragically impacted by this horrific attack."

– Prince and Princess of Wales

Following the New Orleans terror attack last week, William and Kate said they were "shocked and saddened" by the death of British man Edward Pettifer – the stepson of Tiggy Legge-Bourke, William and Harry's former nanny. King Charles also said he was deeply saddened and had been in touch with the family, a royal source told CNN.

CNN's Lauren Said-Moorhouse contributed to this newsletter.