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By Jack Royston
Chief Royal Correspondent
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King Charles III should scrap his planned U.S. visit, according to 46 percent of British adults while 36 percent feel it should go ahead, new polling shows.
Buckingham Palace is preparing for Charles to head across the Atlantic in April to help mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, but the British government is under pressure to cancel over tensions sparked by the war in Iran.
Why It Matters
The "special relationship" between the United States and the United Kingdom has been under strain following the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran. Before the initial strikes, the U.K. blocked the U.S. from using its bases, with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer citing concerns that the attack would violate international law.
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While Charles' visit has not been officially announced, meaning it could be canceled without too much fanfare, a cancellation could further fray relations between the longtime allies. But polling suggests that proceeding with the visit could spark issues at home for Starmer and the already troubled monarchy.
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What To Know
On Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump took a public swipe at Starmer, writing in a social media post, "We don't need people that join Wars after we've already won."
Ed Davey, the leader of the opposition Liberal Democrats, said in a statement on Sunday that a visit by the king "should not be given to someone who repeatedly insults and damages our country."
On Monday, the polling agency YouGov asked a representative sample of 12,002 adults in Britain whether the visit should go ahead, noting in the question that Charles had been invited.
Data collected on March 9 showed 46 percent of respondents supported canceling the trip, while 36 percent wanted it to go ahead, and 18 percent answered "don't know."
The clearest dividing line between the two camps was politics, with strong support for canceling among those who voted in the 2024 general election for the Labour Party (59 percent), Green Party (63 percent) and centrist Liberal Democrats (67 percent).
Meanwhile, there was more support for proceeding with the trip among 2024 voters for the Conservative Party (53 percent) and more right-wing Reform Party (62 percent).
What People Are Saying
Steve Reed, the U.K.'s secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, said: "I don't think it is for Ed Davey to decide what the King should or should not be doing."
U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social: "The United Kingdom, our once Great Ally, maybe the Greatest of them all, is finally giving serious thought to sending two aircraft carriers to the Middle East. That's OK, Prime Minister Starmer, we don't need them any longer—But we will remember. We don't need people that join Wars after we've already won!"
Ed Davey, the leader of the opposition Liberal Democrats, said in a statement: "Keir Starmer should advise the King that the state visit to the U.S. scheduled for April should be called off. At a time when Trump has launched an illegal war that is devastating the Middle East and pushing up energy bills for British families, it's clear this visit should not go ahead. A state visit from our King would be seen as yet another huge diplomatic coup for President Trump, so it should not be given to someone who repeatedly insults and damages our country."
What Happens Next
Newsweek understands that preparations for Charles' U.S. visit are, for now, continuing.
Ultimately, the king will likely do whatever the prime minister asks of him, whether that be attending or staying home in Britain. If Charles goes, it will likely be his biggest event of the year.
Prince William is also expected to travel to the U.S. for the FIFA World Cup this summer and potentially represent the royals at the centerpiece of the 250th anniversary celebrations.
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