What you need to know about King Charles and Queen Camilla’s US visit hosted by Trump
King Charles III and Queen Camilla will travel to the United States this week for an official visit to the country, stopping in New York and Washington, where they will meet with President Trump and the king will address Congress.
The visit was planned to celebrate 250 years of American independence, and planning began long before the United States and Israel began their war with Iran in late February – a conflict that has put a huge strain on US-UK relations. But Mr. Trump has long shown a strong fondness for the king, and the trip may go some way to resolving recent tensions.
The trip will last from Monday to Thursday. Here’s what you need to know.
Why is King Charles visiting the US now?
This official visit, carried out on behalf of the British government, aims to celebrate the connection between the two countries and promote their long-standing relationship, and it is time to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s independence this year.
Buckingham Palace called the visit “an opportunity to see the shared history of our two nations; the breadth of economic, security and cultural ties that have developed since then; and the deep people-to-people connections that unite communities.”
On Sunday, after the shooting on Saturday night in Washington at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, which Mr. Trump attended, the palace said in a statement that the king “has been fully informed of the events that are happening.” It also said that discussions will take place “throughout the day” to consider how “the events of Saturday evening may or may not have an impact on the tour’s operational planning.”
How is the relationship between Britain and America?
The relationship between the two partners has seen better days. Ever since America and Israel struck Iran, Mr. Trump has made a number of criticisms of Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his government over Britain’s refusal to join the war.
Mr. Trump has repeatedly said that Mr Starmer is “no Winston Churchill”, among other unrelenting criticisms of the British leader.
A few days before the visit, an internal Pentagon email revealed that the United States had been putting together plans to punish Britain – and Spain – for their refusal, further deepening the rift.
Why are there hopes that the king’s visit will help?
Mr. Trump, asked by a BBC reporter in a phone interview about whether the king’s visit could help improve relations between the countries, said: “Absolutely.
He continued: “I know him well, I have known him for years, he is a brave man, and he is a man of high quality.”
The president has long expressed his admiration for the British royal family, and seems to enjoy the pomp and ceremony that royal visits can bring. Shortly after the trip became official, Mr. Trump wrote on the site Truth Social: “I look forward to spending time with the Lord, whom I respect greatly.”
Mr. Trump visited Britain on a state visit last September and enjoyed a lavish banquet at Windsor Castle, which was attended by King Charles.
What are the highlights of the King Charles program?
King Charles and Queen Camilla are expected to arrive on Monday in Washington, where they will be welcomed by Mr. Trump and the first lady for a “private tea,” according to Buckingham Palace. They will attend a garden party and a military ceremony review.
On Tuesday, the monarch will address a joint session of Congress, the second time a British monarch has done so. (Queen Elizabeth II delivered a speech at the Capitol in 1991.) Later in the day, he will be hosted by Mr. Trump at a state banquet at the White House.
On Wednesday, members of the royal family will travel to New York and remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001, ahead of the 25th anniversary of the attacks. They will also visit the community education program and hold a book fair in the city, and attend the Silo se Silo welcome ceremony.
On Thursday, the king and queen will return to the Washington area to visit Arlington National Cemetery and attend a party in Virginia to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. The king will not meet with victims of sex crime Jeffrey Epstein, despite a request from Representative Ro Khanna, Democrat of California, to hold a private audience with them.
The relationship between Mr. Epstein and the king’s brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, led to a dramatic decline in the former king’s favor and cast a shadow over the monarchy. Virginia Giuffre, the victim of Mr. Epstein, said Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor sexually abused her after she was trafficked.
Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor, who has consistently denied allegations of sexual abuse and any wrongdoing linked to Mr Epstein, who died in 2019, was arrested in February as part of an investigation into misconduct in public office.
