King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to proceed with their state visit to the United States as planned, following security consultations between officials on both sides of the Atlantic. The decision comes after a shooting incident at a Washington press dinner on Saturday night, which led to the evacuation of Donald Trump and other senior politicians from the hotel venue.
Buckingham Palace Confirms Visit Will Go Ahead
Buckingham Palace has confirmed that the royal couple will travel to the US as scheduled, though some operational adjustments will be made to ensure the visit proceeds smoothly. A palace spokesperson stated: “Following discussions on both sides of the Atlantic through the day, and acting on advice of Government, we can confirm the state visit by Their Majesties will proceed as planned. The King and Queen are most grateful to all those who have worked at pace to ensure this remains the case and are looking forward to the visit getting under way tomorrow.”
Details of the Visit
The royals are due to arrive in Washington on Monday to commemorate the 250th anniversary of US independence. Most engagements will take place as originally scheduled, with only modest tweaks to the itinerary. The four-day visit is expected to be a landmark moment, marking the King’s most high-profile trip of his reign amid strained UK-US relations.
Following Saturday’s shooting, the King personally reached out to President Trump, expressing sympathy for those present and praising security personnel for ensuring no one at the dinner was injured. Trump responded on Sunday, saying: “He’s coming and we’re going to have a great time.”
Schedule of Events
- Private tea with President Trump on Monday, captured by cameras.
- State banquet on Monday evening.
- Address to Congress on Tuesday.
- Travel to New York later in the week.
Notably, the monarch will not meet Epstein survivors due to concerns that it could prejudice active legal proceedings in the UK, including those involving his brother, Prince Andrew.
The visit underscores the enduring alliance between the UK and US, even as security concerns are addressed with operational changes.
