King Charles III and Queen Camilla will make a state visit to the United States at the end of April. Their itinerary will highlight historical ties and bilateral relations, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence. The palace of Buckingham announced on Tuesday a trip that comes amid turmoil in the Middle East and tensions between Washington and London. The program will focus on the current historical links and bilateral relations between the United Kingdom and the United States, commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence.
The king and queen will then visit Bermuda, marking the monarch’s first visit to a UK overseas territory since ascending the throne in September 2022. The long-standing relationship between London and Washington, forged over 250 years of history, is characterized by close diplomatic, military, and economic ties.
During her reign, Queen Elizabeth II visited the United States on four occasions, notably in 1976 to celebrate the bicentennial of American independence and in 1991 when she addressed the American Congress. Former President Donald Trump, known for his admiration for the royal family, expressed eagerness to see the king during his White House tenure. This visit by King Charles III to the United States, the first of his reign, comes amidst the conflict in the Middle East and global economic consequences triggered by the American-Israeli strikes against Iran in late February.
Donald Trump has been critical of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer since the start of the conflict, accusing him of not fully supporting the American ally. He remarked that this situation was not akin to dealing with Winston Churchill and expressed dissatisfaction with London’s initial refusal to allow the US to use its military bases. In response, Starmer emphasized that the “special relationship” with Washington was actively maintained.
A recent YouGov poll revealed that nearly half of the British population (49%) is opposed to this visit, with several British parliamentarians voicing their disagreement as well. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey stated that such an honor should not be given to someone who insults and undermines the country. Donald Trump was received in the UK for a state visit in September last year with all the royal splendor, from the carriage procession to the sumptuous banquet at Windsor Castle.
