Green Party leader Zack Polanski has said he feels sorry for King Charles over the monarch's planned meeting with US President Donald Trump, blaming Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for putting the King in that position.
Speaking in Newcastle, Polanski said he feels sorry that the King is being paraded as a privilege for Trump, whom he described as an unworthy ally. He criticised Starmer's decision to send the King to the US, calling it obsequious.
The comments come amid security concerns following what the White House termed an attempted assassination of President Trump at the White House Correspondents Dinner in Washington. Despite the incident, Buckingham Palace announced that the King's visit would go ahead largely as planned, with modest operational adjustments to one or two engagements.
The historic visit, the King's first to the US as monarch, will mark the 250th anniversary of American independence and commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The King and Queen will begin with a private tea hosted by President Trump and the first lady.
Polanski also stated that he personally has no time for the monarchy, arguing that the rich are getting richer while others struggle.
