King Charles III’s State Visit to the United States

King Charles III will make a state visit to the United States in late April, marking the 250th anniversary of American independence and the first UK state visit to Washington since Queen Elizabeth II’s 2007 trip. The program includes a White House banquet and an address to Congress.

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The visit comes amid US-UK tension over the Iran war; President Donald Trump has called the British Prime Minister “no Winston Churchill.” Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has voiced frustration with the White House, and Chancellor Rachel Reeves called Trump’s actions a “folly.”

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King Charles III, Queen Camilla, President Donald Trump, the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, Rachel Reeves, Prince Harry, Prince Andrew, survivor Virginia Giuffre, Evie Aspinall and a former senior royal aide.

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A Merlin Strategy poll of 1,049 adults (April 17) found 44 % oppose the visit, 35 % support it and 21 % are unsure. 42 % favor a meeting with Epstein survivors, 34 % oppose. Sir Keir Starmer leads as best-placed UK representative (23 %), ahead of Nigel Farage (21 %) and Kemi Badenoch (19 %).

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A diplomatic source told The i Paper the visit should proceed despite difficulties, emphasizing the long-term partnership. Trump said the King could help repair ties; Starmer voiced frustration over Iran; Reeves called Trump’s actions a “folly.”

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Critics point to the Iran war and Trump’s “no Winston Churchill” jab as signs of strained ties. Prince Andrew’s alleged Epstein links have spurred calls for the King to meet survivors, complicated by police investigations.

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Polls show a majority favor a meeting with Epstein survivors, yet royal insiders cite constitutional limits that prevent it. The King is not slated to see Prince Harry, and his private meeting with Trump remains undisclosed.

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• “He’s fantastic. He’s a fantastic man. Absolutely the answer is yes.” — Donald Trump, President of the United States

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• “no Winston Churchill” — Donald Trump, President of the United States

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• “I think you have to accept that Donald Trump will say something that will put King Charles in an awkward position but you can plan for that and mitigate the risk,” — Evie Aspinall, director, British Foreign Policy Group

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• “There’s no better person in these types of situations. The King has been doing this for more than 50 years. He will listen to advice but he doesn’t need anyone to tell him what to do.” — former senior royal aide

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The King and Queen will attend a White House banquet, address Congress, and host a tea party, garden party and military review in Washington. They will visit the 9/11 Memorial, meet emergency workers, join a Harlem literacy event, and travel to Virginia for a national-park tour, Appalachian activities, indigenous representatives and a community celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary.

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