King Charles has embarked on a four-day state visit to the United States, where he will be the guest of President Donald Trump. The visit is taking place against a backdrop of heightened security concerns following a shooting at the White House correspondents' dinner.
The monarch has been tasked by the UK government to "reaffirm and renew" bilateral ties between the two nations. This mission comes amid a worsening "special relationship" and on the 250th anniversary of American independence.
The visit presents a number of diplomatic challenges. King Charles must navigate a relationship with an erratic president, while addressing tensions with Iran and the recent security incident. Additionally, the shadow of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex continues to loom over the royal family.
As the King undertakes this delicate diplomatic mission, the potential pitfalls are manifold, with the ghost of Jeffrey Epstein and the shadow of the Sussexes never far away.
