Starmer Pays Price for Trump’s Silver Necklace Gift

• Prime Minister Keir Starmer received a silver necklace, cufflinks, and a golf club as gifts from Donald and Melania Trump.
• He opted to personally pay the Cabinet Office an undisclosed sum to retain the silver necklace.
• Starmer chose not to purchase the other items, surrendering the cufflinks and golf club to the government.
• The actions comply with the ministerial code, which requires officials to either turn over or buy official gifts exceeding a certain value.

Starmer Buys Trump’s Gift Necklace

In a notable move, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has chosen to personally purchase a silver necklace that was given to him as a gift by former U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania Trump. The decision, revealed in official government transparency lists, highlights the strict protocols surrounding gifts received by ministers in their official capacity.

The Choice: Jewelry Over Golf

According to the records, Starmer received three distinct items from the Trumps: the silver necklace, a set of cufflinks, and a golf club. Under the UK’s ministerial code, any gifts valued over a specific threshold are considered the property of the state. Ministers who wish to keep such items must pay the government their assessed value.

While the exact cost has not been made public, Starmer elected to pay the fee to keep the silver necklace. However, he declined to purchase the cufflinks and the golf club, which were consequently surrendered to the Cabinet Office. This decision offers a rare glimpse into the personal preferences of the Prime Minister, who clearly valued the piece of jewelry enough to acquire it with his own money.

Adherence to Ministerial Protocol

This transaction is a standard, albeit interesting, application of government rules designed to prevent conflicts of interest and maintain transparency. The ministerial code is clear that officials cannot accept gifts that would, or might appear to, place them under an obligation to the giver.

By paying for the necklace, Prime Minister Starmer has followed the letter of the law, ensuring that the gift is treated as a personal purchase rather than an official perk. The Cabinet Office is responsible for valuing all gifts received by ministers to determine the amount they must pay to retain them.

A Small but Telling Detail

While the event is minor in the grand scheme of international diplomacy, it provides a fascinating human-interest story. The choice to keep the necklace—often a more personal and sentimental item—while forgoing the more traditionally corporate or masculine gifts like cufflinks and a golf club, has sparked some public curiosity. It underscores the unique intersection of personal life and public duty that political leaders navigate daily.

Image Referance: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/oct/31/keir-starmer-keeps-silver-necklace-donald-melania-trump-gift