...
By Jack Royston
Chief Royal Correspondent
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
King Charles III’s prospects of visiting America to help mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence are under pressure due to a growing public dispute over Iran between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and U.S. President Donald Trump.
Charles had been invited by Trump to take part in the celebrations, though the king was unable to make the July 4 center piece due to diary commitments. He has instead been eyeing up a possible trip in April, Newsweek has previously been told.
The proposed visit has been thrown into jeopardy, however, by a breakdown in relations between Trump and Starmer over American bombing of Iran.
Read More on News
...
Why It Matters
Starmer initially denied the U.S. permission to use British air bases for the strikes and Trump retaliated on social media, saying Starmer was "no Winston Churchill." Starmer added on Sunday that there was no need for him to send aircraft carriers to the Middle East to "join wars after we've already won."
What to Know
Ed Davey, the leader of the opposition Liberal Democrats, said Starmer should scrap Charles' visit to America to avoid handing a diplomatic victory to Trump.
"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," Davey said in a statement.
"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."
The King and Queen Camilla are expected to travel to the U.S. in late April for a state visit, widely linked to preparations for celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of American independence later this year.
However, the prospect of the visit has become increasingly contentious following US‑Israeli military action against Iran and a sharp deterioration in trans-Atlantic relations over Britain’s role in the conflict.
The UK eventually authorized the use of its bases for what it described as strictly "defensive" operations and deployed RAF jets to intercept Iranian drones and missiles but not to strike Iran.
The Prime Minister and President spoke by phone on Sunday to discuss the situation in the Middle East and ongoing military cooperation, while the British side have been playing down the suggestion of a rift.
What People Are Saying
Asked about Davey's remarks, cabinet minister Steve Reed said, quoted by the BBC: "I don't think it is for Ed Davey to decide what the King should or should not be doing."
Donald Trump posted 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!"
What happens Next
The visit itself has never been announced publicly and will not be regarded as confirmed until it is. Newsweek has been told previously that the palace were working toward a date in April.
The public will only truly know that it has the go ahead following a Buckingham Palace announcement in due course. Foreign trip by royals are normally coordinated by the Royal Visits Committee (RVC), controlled by Britain's Foreign Office but with the involvement of royal aides.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines