King Charles Expresses Concerns Over Mandelson’s Appointment as US Ambassador
The Prime Minister’s decision to appoint Lord Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the United States is under close scrutiny, with King Charles expressing concerns about the suitability of this controversial figure for such a prominent diplomatic role.
When asked to formally approve the appointment, as required by the constitution, the King reportedly attached a note questioning the wisdom of the decision: “Do you really think that’s wise?” A second communication from Buckingham Palace echoed His Majesty’s doubts about granting Lord Mandelson such an important diplomatic position.
The issue was also discussed between King Charles and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer during their regular weekly audience, according to Private Eye.
Despite the Foreign Office’s official approval letter, which praised Lord Mandelson’s credentials, the King was reportedly taken aback that the letter failed to mention his past resignations from government posts or his connections to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The decision continues to draw attention, with questions raised about whether correspondence between the King and ministers regarding the appointment will be included in forthcoming document releases. Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to publish a range of documents related to the appointment process, with an initial batch of files already made public last month. However, some documents may be withheld, particularly those related to the ongoing police investigation into Lord Mandelson or those that could compromise national security or diplomatic relations.
Lord Mandelson was appointed to the ambassadorship in December 2024, but was dismissed by the Prime Minister in September 2025 after fresh details emerged regarding his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. This marks the third time that the architect of New Labour has been forced to leave a government position under difficult circumstances.
