King Charles III’s U.S. State Visit Draws Focus Amid Iran War Tensions and Shooting

Britain's King Charles III (left) meets with U.S. President Donald Trump during Trump's visit to the United Kingdom in September last year. [Photo by Reuters/Yonhap]

Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla will make a U.S. state visit from April 27 to 30 (local time), timed to mark the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. The trip is drawing attention as it comes amid rising tensions between the allies over the Iran war led by the United States and Israel.

According to The New York Times and other outlets, Charles and Camilla will visit Washington and New York. Charles is to arrive in Washington on April 27 and meet with President Donald Trump and the first lady, including a private tea. A speech to the U.S. Congress is scheduled for April 28; Queen Elizabeth II also addressed Congress in 1991.

A White House state dinner is planned afterward. Charles will then travel to New York on April 29 to pay tribute to the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks. On April 30, he is to return to Washington to visit Arlington National Cemetery and attend a party celebrating the 250th anniversary before heading home.

The NYT reported the visit was planned before the Iran war began in February and is intended to celebrate the U.S. anniversary. The royal household said the trip is an opportunity to recognize the countries’ shared history and the broad ties that have developed in economic, security and cultural areas, as well as deep people-to-people links.

But NPR reported Trump has criticized Britain for not joining the Iran war. It said Trump has belittled Britain’s military capabilities and has repeatedly said of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, “The person we’re dealing with is not Winston Churchill.”

NPR said anti-Trump sentiment has grown in Britain, along with opposition to Charles’ U.S. trip. In polling, a majority of Britons opposed the visit. Liberal Democrats leader Ed Davey criticized the plan in Parliament, saying the prime minister should not send the king to someone who treats Britain “like the mafia collecting protection money.”

Relations worsened further after a leaked internal Pentagon document showed the United States was considering retaliatory steps over Britain and Spain barring U.S. Air Force use of their airspace for the Iran war.

The NYT said Trump has long expressed affection for the British royal family and that the visit could help ease recent strains. In a phone interview with the BBC, Trump was asked whether Charles’ trip would help restore ties and replied, “(Charles is) a fantastic person, and my answer is yes.”

Charles’ brother, Prince Andrew, is under police investigation in connection with U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Charles is not expected to meet Epstein victims during the visit.

Attention has also focused on whether a shooting at a White House correspondents’ dinner on April 25 could affect the trip. The BBC reported the royal household said in a statement on April 26 that the visit would proceed as planned, though it may make minor adjustments to reduce risk. Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said he was confident about security during the visit, Reuters reported.

* This article has been translated by AI.

LEE HYUNTAEK