The video of a British choir singing a traditional Puerto Rican anthem has gone viral. But the real story is what it says about the state of cultural diplomacy.
Westminster has long treated soft power as an afterthought. But this moment has forced a reassessment. The reaction from Puerto Ricans themselves has been overwhelming. They see it as a genuine gesture of solidarity, not a patronising stunt.
Whitehall sources tell me the Foreign Office is now scrambling to capitalise. There is talk of a new cultural exchange programme. The usual sceptics are being sidelined. For once, the diplomats have the wind at their backs.
The key lesson? Authenticity matters. The choir did not try to be something they were not. They sang with respect and passion. That resonated.
But do not expect this to last. The machinery of government will find a way to bureaucratise it. Meetings will be held. Strategies will be written. The magic will be lost.
For now, though, there is a rare moment of genuine connection. Let us see if Downing Street has the sense to let it breathe.
