Security experts have warned that King Charles is at risk simply by standing alongside Donald Trump during his visit to the US, following the latest assassination attempt on the President. Cole Tomas Allen, 31, faces firearms and assault charges after his arrest over the terrifying shooting at the White House correspondents' dinner. Chilling video footage shows him charging past a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton hotel, where Ronald Reagan was shot 45 years ago.
Security Concerns Raised
Former FBI agent Jonathan Gillian expressed astonishment that a would-be assassin was again allowed to get so near the President. "There has been better security at events like the Superbowl. You cannot get a bag in bigger than a purse. I cannot for the life of me understand how this keeps happening," he said.
Former British army officer and security expert Hamish de Bretton-Gordon noted that the threat is primarily to Trump, but the King will be more concerned about being near Trump than Trump will be about being near the King. "There is a risk by default and a risk by association. Especially in the States, the main risk comes from lone wolf gunman in a society run by gun," he added.
Previous Assassination Attempt
The incident recalls a previous assassination attempt in July 2024, when Thomas Matthew Crooks, armed with an AR-style rifle, opened fire on Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, leaving one audience member dead and two others wounded. That attempt showed the risk to the King, according to Hamish. "For people like Trump, there will always be those who want to harm him. The King is much loved and respected around the world, whereas Trump is not," he said.
Political Reactions
Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attack in a statement on X, saying: "Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. It is a huge relief that POTUS, the First Lady and all those attending are safe."
Scott Lucas, Professor of Politics at the Clinton Institute in Dublin, highlighted the heightened focus on hatred and violence in US politics, noting that people access guns too easily and are able to carry out these acts.
Security Review for Royal Visit
Chris Philp, shadow home secretary, called for the imminent trip to be "urgently reviewed" after the attack. Top minister Darren Jones confirmed that discussions were ongoing about the monarch's security ahead of the four-day visit to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence. "As you would imagine, with the visit of His Majesty the King this week, our teams are working closely to ensure that security arrangements are put appropriately in place," he said.
Buckingham Palace has not yet commented on the implications for the royals' visit. Sources said they will "update in due course" and provide any information on changes to the trip "as is appropriate". Charles and Camilla are still set to arrive in Washington DC on Monday and spend four days in the US, including meetings with Trump and a state dinner at the White House.
