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Hot Chocolate founder and You Sexy Thing co-writer Tony Wilson dies

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Hot Chocolate founder and You Sexy Thing co-writer Tony Wilson dies

Tony Wilson, the bassist, songwriter and co-founder of the soul band Hot Chocolate, has died at the age of 89.

Along with frontman Errol Brown, Wilson co-wrote hits such as You Sexy Thing and Emma, which took the band to the top of the charts in the 1970s, before leaving to start a solo career.

The group were also the first predominantly black British group to achieve major chart success in America.

Wilson died on Friday at his home in Trinidad, his family confirmed on social media.

“Dad left us today,” his daughter wrote on Facebook. “He left a lot of music behind… forever and ever.”

“I am thankful that on Friday 17th during our conscious talk time he was led to the Lord with understanding.

“Some mornings later he asked for prayers. He said that he was leaving.

“The peace that I have is knowing that his soul escaped. He is in and at peace.”

Wilson’s son Danny added: “It’s been an emotional weekend. On Friday, my dad, the one and only Tony Wilson passed away, aged 89, at his home in Trinidad.”

“Words don’t do justice to the admiration I have for him as a human being or for his dedication to make his dream of getting the songs he wrote be heard.

“It wasn’t until my mum dug out some old diaries of his from 1970 and ’71 that I realised just how hard he had to work to achieve this dream.”

“Trust me, it is truly staggering. The knock backs, the interviews, the touring, the radio shows, the meticulous documenting of record sales.

“All the pressures of what was a cut throat music industry in the 70s. It’s all in those diaries.”

Wilson stopped releasing new music in the late 1980s, but his children continued posting updates about him on social media in recent years, including a post celebrating his 88th birthday in 2024.

A bass guitar Wilson owned was also restored in an episode of the BBC programme The Reapair Shop in 2022.

Wilson was born in Trinidad and played in bands including The Flames, The Souvenirs, and The Corduroys before forming Hot Chocolate with his friend Errol Brown in the late 1960s.

They got their break in 1969, after sending a reggae version of John Lennon’s Give Peace a Chance to its writer.

“Amazingly, a week later I got a call to say John Lennon approved it and wanted to sign the band to the Apple record label,” Brown told BBC Breakfast in 2009. “And that’s how we began.”

The band forged a relationship with hit record producer Mickie Most, and wrote material for other acts, including Mary Hopkin, Julie Felix and Herman’s Hermits.

But it was on their own that they excelled – with a multidimensional sound that incorporated strains of soul, rock, reggae and disco.

Their debut single, Love is Life, went to number six in 1970, and they had at least one hit song every year until 1984, making Hot Chocolate the first group in the UK to have a hit for 15 consecutive years.

Emma became their first American smash in 1975 – a year after it charted in the UK. Later that year, You Sexy Thing marked their career peak.

The track went platinum at home, and spent several weeks in the US top 10. In 1997, it charted again after being featured in the film The Full Monty.

Wilson left the band soon afterwards to resume a solo career that had started with a handful of singles for Decca Records in the 1960s.

However, neither of the two albums he released – I Like Your Style (1976) and Catch One (1979) – made much of an impact on the charts.

In 1983, he released a visionary track called Hangin’ Out In Space – which presaged the electro-soul movement; but after the 1988 compilation Sweet ‘N’ Soulful – The Tony Wilson Story, he stopped releasing new music.

Brown, meanwhile, continued to achieve success with Hot Chocolate, scoring hits like Every 1’s A Winner and So You Win Again.

In 1998, the singer told the Independent that he had “lost touch” with his former bandmate.

“However, I will always be grateful to him for planting the seed and helping me find myself,” he added.

When Brown died in 2015, Wilson paid tribute on his Facebook page, writing: “Rest in peace Errol Brown. Heartfelt condolences to your family, friends, and all fans.”

The same Facebook page was flooded with tributes for Wilson, after his family announced his death at the weekend.

No cause of death has yet been given. (BBC News)

Senior Guyana minister objects to brooch worn by Venezuela’s acting President

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Senior Guyana minister objects to brooch worn by Venezuela’s acting President

A senior government minister has criticised Venezuela’s  Acting President, Delcy Rodriquez, for wearing a brooch showing her country’s map that includes Guyana’s Essequibo Region as she held talks with two Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders this month.

Rodriquez held talks with Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell in St. George’s on April 9 and on Monday this week met with Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley. She said then that her visit was aimed at strengthening relations between the South American country and the region.

But Education Minister, Priya Devi Manikchand, in a statement posted on her Facebook page, wrote “CARICOM leaders claiming to be our friends AND benefitting from that friendship even as they entertain their other friends who are completely disrespecting Guyana by openly claiming 2/3 of my country and sporting that on a visible piece of jewellery even as that matter is being adjudicated in the ICJ (International  Court of Justice), has me questioning our friendships and the principles of these CARICOM leaders”.

She was critical of those CARICOM countries  for violating the principle of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, adding “Principle is principle. It shouldn’t be cowardly. And it shouldn’t be convenient”.

The ICJ is set to begin oral hearings on May 4, with Guyana’s Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, saying that hearings are scheduled for May 4-8, and may extend into the following week.

Guyana brought the case before the ICJ in 2018, seeking affirmation that the 1899 Arbitral Award, establishing the boundary between the two countries, is legally valid. The award had been accepted for over 60 years before Venezuela declared it null in 1962 and revived its claim to the territory.

The matter is being addressed under the 1966 Geneva Agreement, which outlines mechanisms for a peaceful settlement. After bilateral efforts failed, the dispute was referred to the ICJ by the United Nations Secretary-General.

The court has already ruled that it has jurisdiction to hear the case, paving the way for hearings on the merits, during which both sides will present full legal arguments.

While Guyana maintains that the judicial process is the only legitimate avenue for resolving the dispute, Venezuela has historically challenged the court’s authority, though it has participated in filing written submissions.

The 15-member regional integration grouping, CARICOM, of  which Guyana is a member, has consistently supported Guyana’s position that Essequibo is part of its territory.

Meanwhile, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) of Guyana is expressing “its strongest condemnation and deep concern at the deliberate and provocative display of imagery by a senior Venezuelan official depicting Guyana’s Essequibo region as part of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

“This act is neither incidental nor benign; it is unacceptable within the framework of international law and responsible diplomacy, and is particularly troubling when it occurs within the territory of Barbados,” the PSC said, adding that it views this latest incident as a form of “symbolic aggression intended to influence perception, shape narratives, and test international resolve, risking the undermining of regional stability, the erosion of trust, and the weakening of the principles of peaceful dispute resolution”

The PSC said that it is calling on the Barbados government “a valued CARICOM partner and long-standing friend of Guyana to stand firmly in defence of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Further, we call on CARICOM and all regional and international partners to remain vigilant and unequivocal in their support for the rule of law. Silence or inaction in the face of such deliberate provocation risks emboldening further escalation,” it added.

The Guyana government has not said anything officially about what is now regarded in some quarters here as ‘brooch gate”. (CMC)

PM Mottley urges Barbadians to ‘be a hero’ on National Heroes Day

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PM Mottley urges Barbadians to ‘be a hero’ on National Heroes Day

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has called on Barbadians to embody the values of the nation’s heroes, urging citizens to “be a hero to somebody” as the country marks National Heroes Day.

In her National Heroes Day message, Mottley reflected on the legacy of those who helped shape Barbados, highlighting the importance of service, discipline and national pride. She also paid tribute to the country’s two living National Heroes, Garfield Sobers and Rihanna, noting their global impact and continued inspiration to younger generations.

Below is the full statement by Prime Minister Mottley:

Fellow Barbadians, wherever you are today, at home or across the diaspora, I wish you a blessed and purposeful National Heroes Day. This day calls us to remember, to give thanks, and to recommit ourselves to the kind of country our heroes helped us build.

On April 28, we honour those Barbadians whose courage, sacrifice, discipline and excellence changed the course of our history and proved that this small nation would never be small in spirit.

Today also carries a special meaning as we remember the birthday of The Right Excellent Sir Grantley Herbert Adams, our first Premier, a National Hero, and one of the great founding figures of the Barbados Labour Party. For those of us who have given our lives to public service, his legacy is a charge. It reminds us that politics must be about lifting people, defending dignity, opening doors, and helping every Barbadian believe that he or she has a rightful place in the future of this country.

We salute all of our National Heroes. We salute, especially, our two living National Heroes, The Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers and Her Excellency, The Right Excellent Robyn Rihanna Fenty. Sir Garfield showed the world that Bajan genius could be graceful, disciplined and unmatched. Rihanna continues to show a new generation that creativity, courage, hard work and love of country can carry a Barbadian voice into every corner of the globe.

Their lives remind us that heroism is not only found in fame, ceremony or applause. Heroism is found in the values by which we live, the example we set, the burdens we carry for others, and the hope we leave in people who may never be able to repay us.

So today, my challenge to Barbados in 2026 is simple: be a hero to somebody. Be a hero to a child who is watching how you speak, how you work, how you treat others and how you rise after disappointment.

Be a hero to a young person who needs to see that decency is still strength, honesty still matters, discipline still pays, and kindness is not weakness.

Be a hero to an elderly neighbour who needs a call, a visit, a meal, a hand, or simply the comfort of knowing they have not been forgotten.

A hero is a role model in some way to someone. A hero is a person whose living, values, virtues and choices give others something positive to emulate. A hero makes another person feel that they, too, can stand taller, work harder, live cleaner, dream bigger and love Barbados more deeply.

Our National Anthem calls us to be ‘Firm craftsmen of our fate.’ That is not only a line to sing. It is a duty to live. Let us choose one person whose life we can strengthen, one young person we can encourage, one wrong we can correct, and one act of service that will leave our home, school, workplace, church or community better than we found it.

The heroes we honour today helped to give us Barbados. The question for each of us is what kind of Barbados we will give to those coming after us.

Happy National Heroes Day, Barbados. Let each of us be a hero to someone.

Two ZR drivers suspended

Maria Bradshaw
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Two ZR drivers suspended

The transport authority has suspended two ZR drivers captured on video in a violent confrontation last Saturday, during which one driver rammed his vehicle into the other.

Chief executive officer of the Transport Authority, Ruth Holder, confirmed the suspensions to the DAILY NATION yesterday. She said she met with the owners of both vehicles and one of the drivers at the authority’s office at the Granville Williams Bus Terminal in The City yesterday.

The driver who allegedly rammed the parked route taxi could not be located and was suspended in absentia, she added.

“I met with both parties [yesterday] morning. We had a 7:30 meeting where I met with the owners of the vehicles as well as one of the drivers, and both drivers have been suspended until the Transport Authority completes the investigative process,” Holder said. (MB)

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Four teens remanded on multiple serious charges

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Four teens remanded on multiple serious charges

Four teenagers have been remanded to the Barbados Prison Service (Dodds) after appearing in court on a series of serious criminal charges.

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BCA promises to address video with fight on the field

Philip Spooner
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BCA promises to address video with fight on the field

The Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) is set to address the matter of a full-on brawl at a recent club cricket match which has attracted the attention all across the island. A video circulated on several platforms shows a batsman and a bowler in a physical altercation on the field during a recent match at the historic Empire Club in Bank Hall.

In the 26-second video the batsman swings his bat at the opposing player who disarms him before others on field step in. Among those intervening were the two umpires. While this is happened other players ran onto the field in an attempt to quell the fracas.

NATIONNEWS reached out to the BCA, under whose auspices the match was played, and they indicated a statement will be issued today on the incident and full and thorough investigation will be carried out.

The video of an unknown origin sparked outrage in local circles and calls have gone out for a firm stance to be taken on the matter. Some irate observers saw it as a symptom of greater ills in the society.

Over the weekend over 1200 players — males and females— participated in the BCA’s competitions with 55 matches in the leagues from Elite to Division 2. (PS)

Michael Jackson biopic smashes box office record

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Michael Jackson biopic smashes box office record

The new musical film about Michael Jackson has stormed the worldwide box office, scoring the highest opening weekend ever for a biopic.

The singer’s nephew Jaafar Jackson portrays him in Michael, which has taken $217m (£160m) globally since it opened on Wednesday.

Queen musical Bohemian Rhapsody, which launched with $124m (£91m) in 2018 and starred Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury, previously held the box office record for a musical biopic.

But Michael also surpassed the $180m (£133m) taken by 2024’s Oppenheimer, giving the King of Pop the biggest worldwide opening weekend for a biopic of any kind.

Adam Fogelson, chairman of the film’s US distributor Lionsgate, said: “You don’t deliver this figure unless you’re seeing huge numbers across every conceivable demographic. [Audiences] are clearly having a blast.”

The film has gone down much better with audiences than it did with critics, several of whom complained that it depicted a “sanitised” version of Jackson’s career.

Reviews aggregator Rotten Tomatoes recorded a significant gap between the 38% average score awarded by critics, and the 97% average rating from audiences.

The film’s release follows a string of musical biopics over the last decade, which are seen by Hollywood as reliable box office hits.

Queen, Sir Elton John, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Marley, Amy Winehouse, NWA, Robbie Williams and Whitney Houston have all received the cinematic treatment in recent years.

Michael is financially backed by the late superstar’s estate and uses his original vocals for the musical numbers, which dominate the film.

Michael does not include any mention of the child sexual abuse accusations that were made against the singer.

Jackson always maintained his innocence, and was found not guilty of child molestation in 2005.

Filmmakers originally intended to include references to some of the allegations, but the footage was scrapped after the rediscovery of a historic non-disclosure agreement Jackson made with one of his accusers.

The third act of Michael had been due to centre on accusations made by Jordan Chandler in the 1990s, but a settlement Jackson made with the boy’s family at the time included a clause that prohibited the singer’s estate ever mentioning him in any movie.

The film was reworked and a series of reshoots took place after the discovery, and Michael now instead concludes in 1988, before any accusations were made.

Director Antoine Fuqua told Deadline over the weekend that the rediscovery of the NDA led to a “tough period” because the team had to “rethink everything”.

“All movies have different challenges, but this one was unique,” he said, adding that the team got around the issue by refocusing on Jackson’s musical career.

The resulting film leans heavily on recreated concert performances and examines the strained relationship with his father Joseph, played in the film by Oscar nominee Colman Domingo.

The costly reshoots contributed to the film’s sizeable price tag, reported to be around $200m (£148m), making it one of the most expensive biopics of all time.

Michael opened on the same weekend throughout most of the world, but it is still to launch in Japan, where the local distributor has scheduled a June release date.

The film is part of a recent upward swing for cinemas, after a string of box office hits such as The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and Project Hail Mary, with other major releases including The Devil Wears Prada 2 this weekend set to follow.

Jackson was known for worldwide hits such as Billie Jean, Beat It, Smooth Criminal and Black or White, while 1982’s Thriller is the biggest-selling album of all time. (BBC News)

Mental health strain

Carlos Atwell
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Mental health strain

Thousands of Barbadians are seeking help from the Psychiatric Hospital, says Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Wayne Webster.

Addressing the third annual Psychiatric Hospital Awards and Recognition Ceremony on Saturday night at the Wyndham Grand Barbados, in Long Bay, St Philip, he said the figures taken from 2024 showed the important role the psychiatric hospital played.

“In 2024, there were 919 admissions of inpatient care at the Psychiatric Hospital. Add to this the 2 199 visits made to the assessment unit. This suggests the hospital impacted the lives of [more than] 3 000 people in 2024, whether through admissions or through assessment at the unit,” he said.

Webster said the hospital’s outpatient clinic recorded 10 286 attendances in 2024, while 22 264 clinic visits were recorded at the speciality health clinics located in each polyclinic, as well as the St Andrew and St Joseph outpatient clinics. In addition, he said there were 6 695 recorded home visits.

“These visits play a pivotal role in reinforcing patient adherence, early intervention, and support for recovery within familiar settings. The consistently high levels of engagement reflected in these visits reinforce the important role played by the community services in maintaining continuity of care for vulnerable clients,” he said.

The permanent secretary outlined a growing area of concern regarding the mental health of children and adolescents, especially in light of the need for more staff in this area.

Increase staffing levels

“Mental health services geared to children and adolescents are another speciality area to which dedicated employees are assigned. The growing need for these services to protect the mental health of our children and adolescents is of immediate concern. As the Ministry of Health and the Psychiatric Hospital endeavour to increase staffing levels required to meet the needs of the population group, these needs are in part demonstrated by the number of presentations to the hospital assessment team,” he said.

Webster said in 2025, from June to December, 295 young persons between the ages of six and 17 presented to the 24-hour assessment unit but added maintaining their care was dependent on the availability of psychological and occupational therapy services that were currently inadequate due to the low staffing levels. On the positive side, he said the employment of four counselling psychologists and the decentralisation of their services to polyclinics had made an impact.

However, recognising the stigma associated with mental health, Webster reminded the public that there was more to it than institutionalisation.

“Admission to the Psychiatric Hospital is only one critical aspect of care that is provided when an individual requires [help to] stabilise and manage mental illness. Like general health services, mental health care is not only provided in the hospital setting, but is also delivered at the Outpatient Clinic . . . and also through targeted programmes delivered in schools, churches and workplaces within the wider community.

“What is equally important to remember is that mental health services provided are delivered by a team of professionals who diagnose illness and provide appropriate interventions according to the level of severity being experienced by the affected persons.

“These professionals include psychiatrists, nurses trained in mental health, psychologists, occupational therapists, and social workers. It is also very important to recognise that each group . . . [helps to] support the hospital’s clinical operations. Without them, it would be impossible to effectively function in the clinical and community settings,” he said.

Webster praised the work of the hospital and thanked the awardees for their commitment and dedication. He said they were in a unique position to ensure the people in their communities and households could get help should they need it, and assured them their work was making a difference.

The ceremony included awards in areas such as long service, being a team player, innovation, patient satisfaction, safety and more. The Grace Bailey Star Award Of Excellence was won by retiree Carson Haynes, while the Award Of Excellence was won by Dr Joy Sue. (CA)

RF mutual funds boost returns

Shawn Cumberbatch
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RF mutual funds boost returns

RF Bank and Trust is reporting increased returns for three Barbados-based mutual funds that have a combined $73.3 million in assets.

The $33 million Premium Income Fund, which is primarily invested in fixed income instruments, gained 2.2 per cent in the fourth quarter of last year, boosting overall returns for 2025 to 5.2 per cent.

This “compares to benchmark returns of 0.5 per cent and two per cent over the same periods”, the report noted.

The $31 million Select Balanced Fund also had an improved performance in 2025, with higher returns from its equity and fixed income investments.

“In quarter four 2025, the fund returned 1.1 per cent, bringing full-year performance to 3.3 per cent. This compares to benchmark returns of 1.2 per cent and 5.7 per cent over the same periods,” the Select Balanced Fund report stated.

Benchmark returns

RF also shared details on the performance of the Strategic Growth Fund, which had $9.3 million in assets at the end of last year from its investments in equities.

“In quarter four 2025, the fund returned 0.6 per cent, bringing full year 2025 performance to 2.9 per cent. This compares to benchmark returns of 1.9 per cent and 9.4 per cent over the same periods,” the fund reported.

The individual reports for the three mutual funds, which are all sub funds of the RF Investment Fund, all highlighted Barbados’ improved economic performance in 2025, calling it evidence of the country’s “firmer economic footing, supported by 2.7 per cent growth in 2025, record tourism arrivals, easing inflation at 0.7 per cent, and unemployment at a multi-year low of 6.6 per cent”.

Reinforcing stability

“Strong international reserves of $3 billion and a primary fiscal surplus helped reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio to 94.6 per cent, reinforcing macroeconomic stability as global market conditions evolve,” RF added.

The Premium Income Fund’s fourth quarter report for last year observed that “fixed income markets posted strong returns in 2025 as borrowing costs fell and investors moved into riskier bonds seeking higher yields”.

“Emerging market debt led the way with a 13.5 per cent return, benefiting from solid economic growth and a weaker US dollar. Latin American bonds were particularly strong as currencies rallied, with the Brazilian real and Mexican peso each gaining over 11 per cent against the dollar,” it stated.

“Corporate bonds returned 10.3 per cent, with currency moves adding 3.2 percentage points to returns for US investors holding unhedged international bonds. US high yield bonds delivered 8.6 per cent, their third straight year of strong gains.

“Government bonds showed mixed performance as concerns about rising debt levels pushed long-term interest rates higher in most countries.”

The Select Balanced Fund report for the fourth quarter of 2025 explained that the fund’s balanced strategy “provided exposure to both global equity markets and fixed income opportunities throughout the year”.

“International equities delivered strong returns, outperforming US markets by 13 per cent, the largest margin since 2009,” it reported.

“Corporate bonds returned 10.3 per cent, with currency moves adding 3.2 percentage points to returns for US investors holding unhedged international bonds. Government bonds showed mixed performance.”

Strong corporate earnings

The Strategic Growth Fund’s fourth quarter report for 2025 shared that “equities around the world finished the quarter higher, supported by the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, strong corporate earnings, and a September rate cut by the [US] Federal Reserve”.

“Markets overcame significant uncertainty in 2025, including tariff announcements that triggered a 19 per cent decline in the S&P 500 before de-escalating trade tensions and AI enthusiasm paved the way for recovery,” the publication stated.

“Technology and communication service benchmark returns led US sector returns for the third straight year, each gaining more than 25 per cent, while robust AI investment supported economic growth.

“The S&P 500 posted its third consecutive year of returns over 15 per cent.” (SC)

Trump says King will be ‘very safe’ during US visit after security talks

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Trump says King will be ‘very safe’ during US visit after security talks

Donald Trump has said King Charles III will “be very safe” during his state visit to the US, which is due to begin later on Monday.

Further security talks took place between the White House and Buckingham Palace after a gunman gained access to an event attended by Trump in Washington DC on Saturday.

Asked about the security implications for the royal visit, the US president told CBS’ 60 Minutes on Sunday that the grounds of the White House, where King Charles will visit, are “really safe”.

The King and Queen’s programme will go ahead largely as planned, Buckingham Palace said, with the UK government hoping it could ease diplomatic tensions.

The UK’s ambassador to the US, Sir Christian Turner, said the visit would be about “renewing and revitalising a unique friendship” between the two countries.

He said Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had spoken to Trump on Sunday, and the trip would proceed largely as expected.

The King and Queen privately reached out to the Trumps to give their sympathies after the attack, during which a Secret Service agent was lightly injured and the president and his wife were rushed to safety.

The four-day state visit will begin in Washington DC, with the King and Queen being greeted at the White House by Trump and the First Lady Melania Trump.

The president said on Sunday: “I think it’s great, he’ll be very safe… the White House grounds are really safe. This area of not very many acres is really safe.

“And he’ll be staying here, I believe he’s going to a couple of other locations because he’s here for a few days.

“He’s a great guy. They called him and they are so looking forward to being here. We spoke this morning.”

There are British and US flags flying in the streets around the White House, ahead of what will be several days of political theatre.

It will be a charm offensive by the UK, attending ceremonial events in Washington and making a symbolic show of solidarity at the 9/11 Memorial in New York.

For Trump, it will also be a chance to be seen on the world stage next to royalty and might be a welcome diversion from his own political battles. And he told the BBC that he thought the visit could help repair relations with the UK, saying: “Absolutely, the answer is yes.”

Sir Christian said the royal visit would emphasise the “shared history, shared sacrifice and common values” of the two countries and would show that the partnership meant both peoples were “safer, richer and happier”.

It is understood that diplomats no longer use the phrase the “special relationship”, but this visit comes at an unusually difficult time for the US and UK partnership.

Trump has criticised Starmer over not supporting the US in its conflict with Iran, and there have been disagreements between the two allies.

The state visit, which will include events in Washington DC, New York and Virginia, will show that the “partnership ranges well beyond the government of the day”, said the ambassador.

Following the event at the White House on Monday, during which the King and Queen will have tea with the Trumps, they will then attend a garden party with guests who have connections to the US and the UK.

State visits are carried out on behalf of the government and Sir Christian identified three strategic priorities – investment, military co-operation and encouraging “people to people” connections, including tourism and education.

But this visit has faced some criticism, including from Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey, who called for it to be cancelled, describing the US president as “unreliable”.

The diplomatic centrepiece will be the King’s speech to the US Congress on Tuesday, in which the King will have to achieve a balancing act between asserting the UK government’s positions and also maintaining friendly relations with Trump.

The US president will make his own remarks at a state dinner at the White House.

Trump has remained an enthusiastic fan of the monarchy and in an interview with Fox News on Sunday, he praised King Charles, saying: “He’s really a fantastic person and a tremendous representative.”

The UK government will be hoping that some of that warmth will translate to the political relationship.

But Labour MP Emily Thornberry, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee, said she remained “anxious” about the potential diplomatic implications of the visit.

She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “It is a really high-wire act and the president is so unpredictable, you just don’t know what he’s going to say.”

Speaking to Times Radio last week, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage rejected the suggestion Trump could embarrass the King, saying the president “just won’t do that”, and that he has an “extraordinary respect” for the royals.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has also backed the visit, while other opposition parties have been critical of it.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has repeatedly called for the visit to be cancelled, pointing to Trump’s threat of tariffs against the UK, as well as his party’s opposition to the war against Iran, describing the president as an “unreliable” ally.

Green Party leader Zack Polanski told BBC 5 Live Breakfast that he “feels sorry” for the King ahead of the trip, and that the UK should seek to improve relations with the US by “taking a sterner line, not by sending a monarch to be paraded”. (BBC News)

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