Peter Mandelson, the British "Prince of Darkness" who must appease Donald Trump

PORTRAIT - This old Labour Party veteran, known for his cunning and his connections, was preferred by Keir Starmer to a career diplomat to deal with the harshness of the American administration.

"The Prince of Darkness" has found the light again. The man the British nicknamed for his talents as a man in the shadows and his taste for intrigue has just taken the most prestigious and delicate post in the Foreign Office. Even though he has never been a diplomat, Peter Mandelson has no doubt that he has the qualities required to be ambassador to Washington. "I have always been capable of diplomacy," he confided to the Financial Times before taking off over the Atlantic. Confiding that President George W. Bush had recognized his knowledge of winding discussions by nicknamed him "Silvertongue » (“silver tongue”).

Skill in the "art of the deal" will be needed to represent King Charles III to Donald Trump and ensure the survival of the famous " special relationship " established between the two countries by Winston Churchill . Especially since the new ambassador does not arrive with a high level of sympathy...

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