America's special relationship 'probably Israel', says UK ambassador to US

April 28, 2026

The UK's ambassador to the United States, Sir Christian Turner, privately told British students in February that Israel likely holds the only genuine "special relationship" with America, suggesting the traditional UK-US alliance terminology is outdated and nostalgic baggage. His leaked comments come at an awkward moment during King Charles III's state visit to Washington, which aims to strengthen transatlantic ties amid tensions between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Trump. Turner advised against complacency about the relationship, urging UK leaders to clearly demonstrate what Britain brings to the partnership as the security landscape evolves.

Who is affected

Sir Christian Turner (UK Ambassador to the US)
King Charles III and Queen (conducting state visit)
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer
President Donald Trump
Israel (referenced as having the actual "special relationship")
Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
Lord Peter Mandelson
UK sixth-form students who attended the meeting
Former foreign secretary Jack Straw
Former British ambassador Lord Darroch
UK Foreign Office (FCDO)
Epstein survivors

What action is being taken

King Charles III is conducting a state visit to the United States
The UK and Israel are referenced as taking different positions on the Iran war (the US and Israel are fighting together; the UK has refused involvement)

Why it matters

This matters because it reveals a significant diplomatic rift between official rhetoric and private assessment of the UK-US relationship at a critical moment. The leaked remarks undermine the King's state visit, which is specifically intended to strengthen transatlantic ties during a period of strained relations between British and American leadership. The ambassador's candid assessment acknowledges a fundamental shift in geopolitical realities, suggesting Europe can no longer rely on automatic US security guarantees and that the traditional "special relationship" framework may be obsolete, requiring Britain to recalibrate its approach to the partnership.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC