Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla began a four-day visit to the United States on Monday to honour historic ties between the two countries as the US marks its 250th anniversary. The trip is taking place despite simmering transatlantic tensions over the Iran war and a shooting over the weekend at a gala dinner attended by US President Donald Trump.

Issued on: 27/04/2026 - 03:23Modified: 28/04/2026 - 08:04

Britain's King Charles III began a state visit to the United States on Monday as transatlantic tensions simmer over the Iran war, and despite a shooting two days earlier at a dinner attended by his host, President Donald Trump.

The four‑day trip by Charles and Queen Camilla is intended to honour historic ties between the two countries as the United States marks its 250th anniversary, according to the British government.

Charles will become the first British monarch to address Congress since the late queen Elizabeth II, in 1991.

It comes at a hugely delicate moment, with Britain trying to repair ties after Trump raged over London’s refusal to help with his war in Iran.

In the 20-minute speech, Charles is expected to appeal to Trump in guarded terms, saying that defending common democratic ideals is “crucial for liberty and equality” in a time of international challenges.

The King will also stress the importance of the long-standing US-UK alliance during a visit marking the 250th anniversary of US independence from its British ancestors.

“Time and again, our two countries have always found ways to come together,” he is expected to say.

Charles, 77, will stress “reconciliation and renewal” over the past 250 years that has given rise to “one of the greatest alliances in human history.”

Read moreA tutor with a manifesto: What we know about the US press gala shooting suspect

Controversy

Charles's first US state visit as monarch comes at the request of the UK government and President Donald Trump, according to the palace.

However, as the US leader's war with Iran drives a rare wedge between London and Washington, it has generated considerable controversy.

Trump has lambasted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over his war opposition, alongside his government's immigration and energy policies.

The pair spoke by phone Sunday, with Starmer extending "his best wishes" following "shocking scenes" at the gala the night before.

They also discussed "the urgent need to get shipping moving again in the Strait of Hormuz, given the severe consequences for the global economy and cost of living for people in the UK and globally," Starmer's office said.

Starmer has publicly criticised the war, but defended the state visit. An early April YouGov poll found 48 percent of Britons support cancelling it.

"Often what the monarchy is able to do, through the bonds that they build, is reach through the decades in a situation like this," Starmer told MPs when asked why the trip was going ahead.

Trump told the BBC on Thursday the visit could "absolutely" help repair relations.

"He's a friend of mine for a long time, so he's coming, and we're going to have a great time, and he represents his nation like nobody else can do it," Trump told Fox News on Sunday.

Elephant in the room

Charles, 77, showcased his diplomatic skills during Trump's state visit to Britain last September, with Royal Holloway University of London monarchy expert Craig Prescott noting he is "generally very good" at navigating such occasions.

But Prescott said Charles would likely address the "very big elephant in the room" in a coded way in his speech Tuesday to the US Congress.

Meanwhile, the scandal around late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein threatens to encroach on the highly choreographed tour.

Charles has faced a major crisis over the friendship his brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, previously known as prince Andrew, had with the late billionaire, who died in prison in 2019.

Read moreAndrew Mountbatten Windsor, the commoner formerly known as 'prince', faces an uncertain future

The longstanding controversy intensified after Andrew was arrested in mid-February following new revelations over their links.

The king, who stripped his disgraced brother of his titles in October, said "the law must take its course" in a rare personally signed statement issued after the arrest.

Andrew, who remains under police investigation, has not been charged and has denied any wrongdoing.

The visit appears meticulously planned to avoid unscripted moments. Only photographers will capture Tuesday's Oval Office meeting between Trump and Charles.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

Keywords for this article

The content you requested does not exist or is not available anymore.