King Charles will proceed with a state visit to the United States in late April, Buckingham Palace has confirmed, despite criticism from MPs who warn the trip risks becoming a “humiliation” amid the ongoing US-led war with Iran. The three-day visit, from 27 April, is intended to mark the 250th anniversary of US independence, according to the Foreign Office.
Several MPs, including Labour’s Emily Thornberry, chair of the foreign affairs select committee, have called for a delay. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said sending the king after Donald Trump dismissed the Royal Navy as “toys” showed a lack of backbone, adding: “What appalling thing does Trump have to do next to make the government see sense?” Green Party leader Zack Polanski urged the prime minister to “stop the king’s visit”.
The announcement came shortly after Mr Trump launched a new attack on the UK on his Truth Social network, telling the country to “learn to fight for yourselves” and suggesting it should take jet fuel from the Middle East by force. Last week he called UK aircraft carriers “toys”. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also pressured the UK to “step up” to defend the Strait of Hormuz.
Buckingham Palace said the visit was “on advice of his majesty’s government, and at the invitation of the president”. It will be the king’s first US state visit as monarch, and the first by a British sovereign since 2007. He is expected to address Congress and attend anniversary events. Mr Trump welcomed the visit, saying it would be “TERRIFIC”.
Labour backbencher John McDonnell warned that Mr Trump would “use this for his own personal publicity”. Former shadow defence secretary Clive Lewis described it as “a profound misreading of the moment” amid an illegal war, while MP Kim Johnson also criticised the decision.
