King Charles III and Queen Camilla will proceed with a state visit to the United States in late April, Buckingham Palace has confirmed, despite calls from some politicians to delay the trip due to ongoing conflict involving Iran and tensions between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump.
The visit, scheduled from 27 to 30 April, is intended to mark the 250th anniversary of US independence. However, critics argue that the timing is inappropriate given Trump's recent verbal attacks on the UK's armed forces. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey described the visit as a “humiliation,” saying the prime minister is showing a “staggering lack of backbone” by pushing ahead while Trump treats the UK with contempt.
Buckingham Palace stated that the visit is taking place “on advice of his majesty’s government, and at the invitation of the president of the United States.” The King is expected to address Congress and attend events commemorating the anniversary. This will be his first state visit to the US as monarch and the first by a British sovereign since Queen Elizabeth II's tour in 2007.
The announcement came shortly after Trump posted on Truth Social that the visit would include a “beautiful Banquet Dinner” at the White House on 28 April. However, earlier that day, Trump had criticised Starmer for failing to support US-Israel strikes on Iran, suggesting the UK should “fight for yourselves” and take jet fuel from the Middle East by force. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also urged the UK to “step up” to defend the Strait of Hormuz.
Labour MPs, including John McDonnell and Clive Lewis, have criticised the decision, warning that Trump will use the visit for personal publicity and that it tarnishes the UK's reputation. Emily Thornberry, chair of the foreign affairs select committee, had previously suggested it would be “safer to delay” the visit to avoid embarrassing the King.
