King Charles presses ahead with US visit despite Trump war backlash and ‘humiliation’ warnings

31 March 2026 , 18:58

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King Charles will proceed with a state visit to the US in April, as confirmed by Buckingham Palace, despite some politicians calling the trip a "humiliation" amid Donald Trump’s ongoing conflict with Iran.

MPs have privately expressed concerns about the possibility of embarrassing the king if the US president continues his criticisms of the UK’s armed forces before or during the visit.

Emily Thornberry, chair of the foreign affairs select committee, is among those advocating for a delay while the war continues, although the Foreign Office has said the visit is intended to mark the 250th anniversary of US independence.

Liberal Democrat leader, Ed Davey, criticized Keir Starmer for not being willing to stand up to the US president and cancel the visit, scheduled for three days starting April 27. Green party leader, Zack Polanski, said the prime minister "must halt this involvement in Iran and stop the king’s visit to the USA".

The announcement of the visit came just minutes after Trump issued another verbal attack on the UK, urging the country to "fight for yourselves" and use force to take jet fuel from the Middle East. Last week, Trump referred to the UK’s aircraft carriers as "toys" and unwanted.

Davey stated: "The prime minister is displaying a shocking lack of backbone by proceeding with this state visit while Donald Trump shows contempt for our country.

"To send the king on a state visit to the US after Trump dismissed our Royal Navy as ’toys’ is a humiliation, and highlights a government too weak to stand up to bullies. What appalling act must Trump commit next for the government to come to its senses and cancel the state visit?"

Thornberry had also previously suggested it would be "safer to delay" the visit, asserting that Charles and Camilla might feel "embarrassed" due to the crisis.

Buckingham Palace announced that Charles and Camilla would undertake the visit at the end of April "on the advice of his majesty’s government, and at the invitation of the president of the United States".

Charles is expected to address Congress and attend events marking the 250th anniversary of US independence.

This will be the king’s first visit to the US as monarch and the first state visit by a British sovereign to the US since Queen Elizabeth II’s tour in 2007.

Trump posted on his Truth Social network: "Melania and I are pleased to announce that Their Majesties, the King and Queen of the United Kingdom, will visit the United States for a Historic State Visit from April 27-30th, which will include a lovely Banquet Dinner at the White House on the evening of April 28th.

"This momentous occasion will be even more special this year, as we commemorate the 250th Anniversary of our Great Country. I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect. It will be TERRIFIC!"

Only an hour earlier, Trump had again criticized Starmer for not supporting the US-Israel strikes on Iran.

"All those countries unable to obtain jet fuel due to the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to engage in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, muster some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT," Trump said in another Truth Social post.

The US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, also urged the UK to "step up" to defend the critical waterway in a press conference on Tuesday. "Last I checked, there was supposed to be a formidable Royal Navy capable of undertaking such tasks," he said.

Several Labour MPs have criticized the decision to allow the state visit to proceed. John McDonnell, the veteran backbencher and former shadow chancellor, said: "Trump will inevitably exploit this for his own personal publicity ahead of the US elections. There is no benefit from this visit as any affiliation with Trump’s regime tarnishes our country’s reputation."

The former shadow defense secretary Clive Lewis said: "No one disputes the need for diplomacy with the US. That is realpolitik. But orchestrating a state visit in the midst of an illegal war, led by a man causing significant damage to democratic norms, is not diplomacy; it is a profound misreading of the moment."

MP Kim Johnson stated that it was an insult to the British people dealing with a cost of living crisis due to the war. "This war is driving a global economic crisis, which will lead to deeper levels of poverty for my constituents," she said. "The royal visit will only embolden Trump. This shouldn’t be allowed to happen; he has insulted Starmer and undermined our government."

More than 140,000 people have sent letters to the Palace via the 38 Degrees site requesting the king cancel the visit, although the monarch participates in state visits at the government’s direction.

Jake Atkinson, a spokesperson for the Stop Trump Coalition, stated: "The king’s visit will serve as an endorsement of this illegal war, and Trump’s ongoing disregard for international law.

"Keir Starmer has made a strong case that the UK is not involved in Trump’s war – yet has allowed the US to use British bases to launch its attacks. As the consequences of the war increase, and Trump continues to insult the UK, it is unacceptable that Starmer will persist with his failed strategy of appeasing Trump by sending the king to socialize with the warmonger-in-chief."

After the US visit, Charles will visit Bermuda, without Camilla, for his first royal visit as monarch to a British overseas territory. Exact dates and details are yet to be disclosed.

State visits are rarely postponed, except for security reasons and illness, and the royal family’s soft power diplomacy is viewed as an important and unique way of engaging with Trump, who is known for his admiration of the monarchy.

Last year, the president was honored with a second state visit to the UK, unprecedented for a US leader.

Charles’s tour will raise questions about whether he will see his son Harry, with whom he has had a troubled relationship, his wife, Meghan, and their children, Archie and Lilibet.