King Charles’ planned state visit to Washington DC in April may be thrown into doubt following renewed criticism from former US President Donald Trump.
Trump has publicly criticized the UK, calling Britain a “once great ally” and claiming that Washington “didn’t need” British support in his campaign against Iran. His remarks, made both on social media and during public appearances, have sparked concerns in UK political circles about the timing and optics of the royal visit.
Sir Ed Davey urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to advise the King to reconsider the trip, warning that a visit could be interpreted as a diplomatic win for a leader who “repeatedly insults and damages our country.” Labour backbencher Rachael Maskell suggested the trip should be postponed unless it focuses on addressing the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Green Party deputy leader Rachel Millward described the US under Trump as a “rogue state,” calling the idea of a royal visit “unthinkable” at this time.
The controversy follows Trump’s latest comments aboard Air Force One, dismissing the UK’s potential deployment of aircraft carriers as unnecessary, stating, “We already won.”
Downing Street confirmed that Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with Trump, discussing ongoing military cooperation through RAF bases and the situation in the Middle East, though uncertainty around the King’s visit persists.
