King Charles to Make State Visit to US Despite Calls to Cancel

The British monarch will travel to the US next month despite tensions over the Iran war.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 4:04pm

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A solitary, pensive figure of King Charles III standing in a dimly lit room, the warm glow of sunlight casting deep shadows across the scene, capturing a sense of quiet contemplation amidst political uncertainty.As tensions simmer between the UK and US, the ceremonial state visit by King Charles III aims to mend diplomatic ties, even as some call for the event to be canceled.Washington Today

King Charles III is moving forward with a state visit to the United States next month, despite calls from some members of Parliament to cancel the ceremonial event due to ongoing tensions between the UK and US over the war in Iran. The visit will mark the 250th anniversary of American independence and comes after a previous state visit by former President Donald Trump to the UK.

Why it matters

The decision to proceed with the state visit is seen as an effort by the UK government to ease tensions with the US, even as President Trump has repeatedly criticized Britain for not supporting the war in Iran. The visit is also an important diplomatic event that aims to bolster relations between the two countries.

The details

The king and Queen Camilla will travel to the US from April 27-30. The visit follows Trump's state visit to the UK in 2019, which was viewed as part of Britain's effort to shore up the 'special relationship' between the countries. However, Trump has since chided the UK for refusing to allow US aircraft to use British bases for operations against Iran, and has repeatedly criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

  • King Charles and Queen Camilla will visit the US from April 27-30, 2026.
  • Trump made a state visit to the UK in September 2019.

The players

King Charles III

The reigning monarch of the United Kingdom who is proceeding with a state visit to the US next month.

Queen Camilla

The wife of King Charles III who will accompany him on the state visit to the US.

Donald Trump

The former US President who made a state visit to the UK in 2019 and has since criticized the British government over the Iran war.

Keir Starmer

The current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom who is allowing the state visit to the US to proceed despite calls from some members of Parliament to cancel it.

Ed Davey

The leader of the opposition Liberal Democrats in the UK Parliament who has criticized Starmer for allowing the state visit to go ahead.

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What they’re saying

“I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect. It will be TERRIFIC!”

— Donald Trump

“To send the king on a state visit to the U.S. after Trump dismissed our Royal Navy as toys is a humiliation and a sign of a government too weak to stand up to bullies. What appalling thing does Trump have to do next to make the government see sense and cancel the state visit?”

— Ed Davey, Leader of the Liberal Democrats

What’s next

The UK government will need to carefully manage the state visit in light of the ongoing tensions with the US over the Iran war. There may be further calls from Parliament to cancel or postpone the event.

The takeaway

This state visit represents a diplomatic balancing act for the UK, as it seeks to maintain the 'special relationship' with the US despite disagreements over foreign policy. The decision to proceed suggests the government believes the potential benefits of the visit outweigh the political risks.