London, United Kingdom. King Charles III travels to the United States on Monday for a four-day state visit amid diplomatic tensions between London and Washington.
Buckingham Palace and the British government stated the trip will honor the historic relationship between the two nations as the United States marks 250 years of independence. Okay News reports that the British monarch, accompanied by Queen Camilla, will conduct the state visit at the request of the United Kingdom government and United States President Donald Trump.
Donald Trump has previously criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer regarding war opposition, immigration, and energy policies. In March, Donald Trump said, “This is not Winston Churchill that we’re dealing with,” and added the special relationship was “not like it used to be.”
Keir Starmer has defended the state visit by stressing the depth of UK-US ties. During a session with members of the British government, Keir Starmer said, “Often what the monarchy is able to do, through the bonds that they build, is reach through the decades in a situation like this.”
The visit coincides with ongoing scrutiny regarding the friendship between the King’s brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested in mid-February following revelations regarding their links, and remains under police investigation.
Several United States lawmakers have requested the King meet with victims privately. Buckingham Palace sources indicated such a meeting will not be possible, citing potential impacts on police inquiries or the course of the law.
King Charles III, 77, is scheduled to address the United States Congress on Tuesday, becoming the first British monarch to do so since his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, in 1991. The itinerary includes a state dinner, tea with Donald Trump and Melania Trump, and visits to New York on Wednesday and Bermuda on Thursday.
