King Charles is set to travel to Washington next week for a private tea and state dinner with US President Donald Trump, at a time when the 'special relationship' has hit a 70-year low. The four-day trip, the most high-profile of Charles's reign, will mark the 250th anniversary of American independence. The 77-year-old monarch will aim to emphasise strong bonds that transcend political spats, but faces a volatile counterpart in the 79-year-old Trump, who has a history of protocol-smashing.
Trump, whose reverence for royalty was evident during his visit to Windsor Castle last September, may see the pageantry as a distraction from his 33% approval rating. However, his recent attacks on the Pope suggest a contempt for once-sacred norms, leading observers to question whether Charles will face similar treatment. Critics point to Trump's war in Iran and his belittling of Prime Minister Keir Starmer as further strains on the relationship.
The US pro-democracy group Save America Movement plans an aggressive advertising campaign to follow the king, arguing he legitimises Trump's extremism. Veteran strategist Steve Schmidt compared the visit to Charles's great-uncle, the Duke of Windsor, meeting Adolf Hitler in 1937, calling Trump 'a full-blooded American fascist'. Last year, images of Trump and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were projected onto Windsor Castle during Trump's state visit; Schmidt said the king's brother, Andrew, is a 'charter member' of Epstein's circle, a reference Andrew denies.
Palace aides are anxious to shield Charles from questions about Andrew, who was arrested in February on suspicion of leaking documents to Epstein. Democratic congressman Ro Khanna wrote to Charles requesting a meeting with Epstein survivors, but Buckingham Palace declined, citing legal advice. On Tuesday, Khanna will host a public meeting with advocacy groups and survivors on Capitol Hill.
