They have a history, of sorts. In 2012, after the princess was covertly photographed topless, the then-reality TV punchline did some superlative victim blaming, taking to what was formally Twitter to post, “Kate Middleton is great — but she shouldn’t be sunbathing in the nude — only herself to blame”. Thirteen years is a long time to wait but the princess has just managed to stage a wonderfully polite, exquisitely British two finger salute right back in the direction of the White House. Members of the royal family, as we all know, are meant to remain at all times above politics, methodically refraining from anything like an overt comment. (Kate is never known to have, even pre-Windsor days, voted). However, they are grand masters at covertly signalling their true feelings on sensitive matters in ingenious ways. Take in 2022, just after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, when Queen Elizabeth II posed with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in front of a “deliberate” large flower arrangement in the colours of the Ukrainian flag. Or take her famous use of her style to send smoke signals, such as in 2017 when, at a time of heightened post-Brexit tensions, she wore a hat to open the British parliament that strongly resembled the European Union flag. But the most supremely delicious example was in 2019 when, to meet Mr Trump for the first time during a State visit, Her late Majesty wore a brooch that had been given to her by his implacable foes, Barack and Michelle Obama. Over the course of the The Apprentice host’s time in London, she then proceeded to wear a brooch that had been given to her by the Governor-General of Canada and a third that was a symbol of mourning. Check and sparkly-mate, Mr President. Kate has clearly learnt from the maestra herself, choosing an outfit for this week’s Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey that contained quite the Trumpian shot. After having missed last year’s event as she was being treated for cancer, on Tuesday, when a beaming Kate arrived at the Abbey, she was clad in top-to-toe bright, maple leafy red, an ensemble which looked to be a perfect match for the distinctive Canadian flag. (Mr Trump, for those just waking up from light comas, has in recent weeks repeatedly threatened to annex the nation). The princess’ “nod to Canadian colours would not have gone unnoticed in the country”, the Telegraph has reported. Kate, who is famous for re-wearing trusty pieces in her wardrobe, might just have given us the world’s first known instance of politically-motivated recycling. Brilliant stuff. King Charles was also in on the act, using his address to call on the “family” of 56 Commonwealth nations to unite “in these uncertain times”, saying the organisation “remains as ever-important today”. The service also saw the congregation loudly “affirming” their “belief in the Commonwealth as a powerful influence for good in the world”. If only Mr Trump could hear over the Baywatch repeats he likes to have on in the background during budget briefings. Kate’s surprisingly loaded gesture at the Abbey on Tuesday comes at a time when the royal family is increasingly being drawn into the geopolitical rough and tumble. Mr Trump was reportedly left in a “strop” after the King invited Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to his Sandringham estate for tea last week in what was a very pointed show of public support. The King then followed up, a day after Mr Zelensky left to continue his efforts fending off a rapacious, ravening Russia, by having the other one of the president’s most high profile adversaries, Mr Trudeau, over for a cuppa too. All of this regal soft power and unofficial, official diplomacy did not go unnoticed back in Washington by Mr Trump, as he dreamt up new and exciting ways to deport immigrants. (“Where are those cages we had?”) According to the Mail, “Allies of the US President have made clear to UK officials in America that pictures of the King with the Ukrainian leader made him feel ‘less special’ about the monarch’s invitation for a state visit to Britain”. A well-placed source told the Mail: “Things definitely went a bit cool in Washington after Sandringham. We told them that the King makes his own decisions about who he meets”. This all now sets the scene for what could go down in history as the diciest and most awkward State visit in history after, late last month, the King invited Mr Trump to cross the Pond for a historic second one. (Charles, just to really butter up the president, also highly unusually offered to meet him in advance at either Dumfries House or Balmoral Castle, both in Scotland where Mr Trump owns a golf course, to discuss the logistics). While no date has been set for the State visit, which would see Mr Trump and wife Melania arrive in London, Kate will have no choice but to play a large part in proceedings. Since she and husband Prince William were elevated to the Prince and Princess of Wales titles, they have played a far more prominent part in hosting foreign leaders. During both the State visits of South Korea’s president and first lady in late 2023 and for the Sheikh and Sheikha of Qatar in late 2024, the Waleses’ were wheeled out repeatedly. This included greeting them, in front of the press, at their hotel, then travelling to Horse Guards with them and then attending the State dinner. (Kate missed the Qatari banquet as she was still recovering from cancer). With the late Queen’s death, it seemed we were in danger of that wonderful chapter of sartorial smoke signals coming to an end – but Kate could have just picked up her mantle and may be getting set to run with it. Blessed be. And in the meantime, anyone know if there is a jeweller in Kyiv who does a nice line in brooches? Daniela Elser is a writer, editor and commentator with more than 15 years’ experience working with a number of Australia’s leading media titles