King ‘excited’ about US trip amid Trump warning they’ll talk about everything even Iran
King Charles and Queen Camilla are just hours away from landing in Washington DC for a four-day visit to the United States, where they will meet Donald Trump five times
The King and Donald Trump will meet five times next week on the state visit(Image: PA)
The King is ‘excited’ about celebrating the ‘connection’ between the UK and the United States despite the upcoming state visit’s complexities, according to a palace source.
It’s just hours before Charles and Queen Camilla will land in Washington DC for a four-day state visit to the United States, where they will meet US President Donald Trump five times.
The controversial trip comes amid a volley of verbal attacks by Trump on Prime Minister Keir Starmer amid the UK and other Nato allies not joining his war in Iran, leading the US president to describe the PM as being “no Winston Churchill” and branding the Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers as ‘toys’.
The King and Queen with Trump and first lady Melania at Windsor Castle last September (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, fresh controversy has flared over reports the US could review its position on Britain’s claim to the Falkland Islands as punishment for Mr Starmer’s lack of support for the military action against Tehran.
During the four-day trip, the King and Queen will have tea with Trump and first lady Melania, attend a state dinner at the White House, where Charles will give a speech, and visit the 9/11 memorial in New York. There will also be events in Virginia, including a block party, before the King visits the British overseas territory of Bermuda.
And a palace source told The Times: “We’re optimistic about the visit while acknowledging the complexities and challenges that it presents. But overall, Their Majesties are excited about a programme that celebrates the connection between two nations and two peoples.” The publication reports that Charles is expected to call for unity in a speech he will deliver to Congress on Tuesday, which has been written with government advice.
Trump has criticised UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer(Image: Getty Images)
Meanwhile, it is reported that the visit will also have an ‘informal’ feel with guests at a garden party in Washington told hats aren’t encouraged while the state dinner is said not to be featuring any tiaras.
It comes as Trump has said he plans to talk to the King about “everything” during the royal state visit, including the Iran war, which has strained transatlantic relations. The US president also said he would raise the thorny issue of Nato, which he has lambasted throughout the conflict.
The American leader made his comments to Reuters saying: “I’m going to talk about everything.” Among other topics he was set to raise with the King was the UK’s digital services tax on American social media firms.
Prince Harry at the National War Memorial Cemetery in Kyiv, Ukraine(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Earlier this week, he also claimed Prince Harry “is not speaking for the UK” after the Duke of Sussex told the US to honour its obligations in the Ukraine war.
Responding to the speech Harry made during a surprise visit to Ukraine, the US president told reporters: “I know one thing, Prince Harry is not speaking for the UK, that’s for sure. I think I am speaking for the UK more than Prince Harry.”
“But I appreciate his advice very much,” he added. Mr Trump went on to ask: “How’s he doing? How’s his wife? Please give her my regards.”
Harry delivered a lengthy, impassioned speech at the Kyiv Security Forum on Thursday, saying he was “not here as a politician” but as “a soldier who understands service” and a “humanitarian”.
In a rare input on global matters, the King’s youngest son turned his attention to the US – although he did not mention Mr Trump by name – urging the “American leadership” to “honour its international treaty obligations” in its “enduring role in global security”.
The President previously has said the King and Queen’s visit to the US could “absolutely” mend relations with the UK damaged over the Iran war.
