King Charles III and Queen Camilla have arrived in the United States for their first state visit since the monarch's accession, amid significant strain in the so-called 'special relationship' between the UK and US. The visit comes after a shooting incident at a press gala in Washington, where President Donald Trump and other administration officials were likely targets, according to acting US Attorney-General Todd Blanche. A Palace spokesperson confirmed the visit would proceed as planned following discussions with the government.
The 77-year-old king, who first visited the US in 1970 at age 21, is focused on repairing ties between the two nations. The relationship has been under pressure due to a growing spat between President Trump and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer over the war in the Middle East. Trump has criticized Starmer's lack of support for the US-led offensive against Iran, describing the PM as 'not Winston Churchill' and Britain's aircraft carriers as 'toys'.
Despite the tensions, Trump has praised King Charles, calling him 'a great gentleman' and 'a fantastic person'. In an interview with the BBC, Trump said the royal visit could help repair US-UK relations. 'Absolutely, the answer is yes,' he said. 'I know him well, I've known him for years. He's a brave man, and he's a great man.'
The visit has proven controversial among Britons, with opinion polls showing Trump deeply unpopular in the UK. Some politicians, including Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey, have called for the visit to be canceled, describing Trump as 'a dangerous and corrupt gangster'. Outside Buckingham Palace, members of the public expressed mixed views, with some condemning the visit and others acknowledging its diplomatic value.
Royal commentator Afua Hagan noted the delicate balance the king must strike. 'The optics of King Charles III travelling to the United States and shaking hands with Donald Trump whilst Donald Trump is waging a war against Iran is horrible at best,' she said. 'But conversely, we do need someone to smooth over the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom, and King Charles III is our diplomat-in-chief.'
