King Charles III and the Prince of Wales are expected to make separate visits to the United States in 2026 as part of efforts to revive a stalled trade deal with the Trump administration, according to reports. Advanced talks are underway for a potential trip by the King in April, while William is likely to travel later in the year during the football World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July.
The visits would mark the first by a reigning British monarch since Queen Elizabeth II's 2007 trip. The planned engagements come after the US paused a multibillion-pound technology investment deal earlier this month, citing a lack of progress in lowering trade barriers. The £31bn agreement, announced during Donald Trump's state visit and hailed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer as a 'generational step-change', included major commitments from US tech firms such as Microsoft (£22bn) and Google (£5bn).
The suspension of the deal was a setback for the UK government, which had pursued intensive diplomacy to avoid punitive tariffs on British exports. Downing Street confirmed it remains in 'active conversations' with Washington, but acknowledged that negotiations are 'never straightforward'. Sticking points include Britain's digital services tax, opposed by Trump's big tech backers, and demands for greater access to UK markets for US farmers.
Prince William, in his capacity as President of the Football Association, is expected to attend World Cup matches, with England's third group game scheduled for 27 June in New Jersey. The timing may also allow him to be present for US Independence Day celebrations on 4 July, marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The King is not expected to be accompanied by the Prime Minister; Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is likely to represent the government.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the reports, stating it does not discuss upcoming royal engagements.
