Buckingham Palace has confirmed King Charles and Queen Camilla will undertake a State Visit to the United States in late April following President Donald Trump’s invitation to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence.
The formal announcement issued on Monday morning stated the visit would proceed “on advice of His Majesty’s Government” despite weeks of political pressure to cancel the trip over Mr Trump’s military campaign against Iran.
“Their Majesties’ programme will celebrate the historic connections and the modern bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States, marking the 250th anniversary of American Independence,” the Palace confirmed.
The 77-year-old monarch, who continues undergoing cancer treatment, will attend a glittering State Banquet at the White House hosted by Mr Trump, who has publicly expressed admiration for the British royal and enthusiasm for the visit.
Following the US leg, His Majesty will travel to Bermuda for his inaugural Royal Visit as sovereign to a British overseas territory—marking the first visit by a reigning King to the island. Queen Camilla will not accompany him to Bermuda.
Government officials and diplomats navigated substantial opposition whilst weighing the necessity of strengthening Anglo-American relations despite recent strains. Politicians across the political spectrum characterised the visit as potential “endorsement” of Mr Trump’s divisive foreign policies, particularly the Iran conflict which London does not support.
However, diplomatic sources previously told the Daily Mail that maintaining robust ties with the Trump administration remains essential, whilst keeping “one-eye on a post-Trump future” despite the President’s recent criticisms of Sir Keir Starmer and belittling of British military capabilities.
Washington’s UK ambassador Warren Stephens declared last week that cancellation would constitute “a very big mistake,” predicting it would prove “a very meaningful trip” for the monarch.
This marks His Majesty’s first State Visit to America as sovereign, though as Prince of Wales he visited 19 times, including a 2005 joint tour with the then Duchess of Cornwall. The late Queen Elizabeth II conducted four outward State Visits to the US across her reign in 1957, 1976, 1991 and 2007.
President Trump has cited the royal visit when defending his controversial £301 million White House ballroom project, arguing the 90,000-square-foot development—which saw the East Wing demolished last October—proves necessary for entertaining foreign dignitaries.
A panel headed by a senior presidential aide is scheduled to hold a final vote on the legally-challenged scheme on 2 April.
