King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to proceed with a state visit to the United States in late April, despite mounting criticism that the trip risks becoming a humiliation for the monarch amid Donald Trump's ongoing war with Iran. Buckingham Palace confirmed the visit, scheduled from 27 April, will go ahead on the advice of the UK government and at the invitation of the US president.
Several MPs have voiced concerns that the visit could embarrass the King, particularly after Trump's recent verbal attacks on the UK's armed forces. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey called the decision a sign of 'staggering lack of backbone', saying the Prime Minister was too weak to stand up to bullies. Green party leader Zack Polanski urged the government to 'stop the king's visit' and end UK involvement in Iran.
The announcement came shortly after Trump launched a fresh tirade against the UK, telling the country to 'fight for yourselves' and suggesting it should seize jet fuel from the Middle East. Last week, he dismissed the Royal Navy's aircraft carriers as 'toys'. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also pressured the UK to 'step up' to defend the Strait of Hormuz.
Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell warned that Trump would use the visit for personal publicity ahead of US elections, tarnishing the UK's reputation. Former shadow defence secretary Clive Lewis described the trip as a 'profound misreading of the moment', while Labour MP Kim Johnson also opposed the decision. Foreign Affairs Committee chair Emily Thornberry had previously suggested delaying the visit to avoid embarrassment.
The King is expected to address Congress and attend events marking the 250th anniversary of US independence. It will be his first state visit to the US as monarch and the first by a British sovereign since Queen Elizabeth II in 2007. Trump posted on Truth Social that he looked forward to spending time with the King, calling the visit 'TERRIFIC'.
