King is set to address ‘challenging’ nature of US-UK relationship in historic address to Congress during state visit

King Charles is expected to address the ‘challenging’ nature of Anglo-American relations in a historic speech to Congress as officials confirmed his controversial State Visit to the US will go ahead on Tuesday.

As more details about the potentially explosive four-day trip later this month were revealed by Buckingham Palace, it was also revealed that Queen Camilla will meet with victims of domestic and sexual abuse on several occasions, despite royal aides having to turn down requests to speak to Jeffrey Epstein’s victims.

Officials have also taken steps to minimize potential embarrassment to the monarchy from President Donald Trump, who has been outspoken in recent weeks about his disdain for British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his handling of British foreign policy.

Although official speeches will be held at a lavish White House State Dinner to welcome the monarch and his wife, all meetings between the two men will take place behind closed doors, without the media.

And while the traditional ‘walk-arounds’ that are normally part of such a high-profile visit are notably absent from the programme, apparently on the advice of the security services, the royal couple will have opportunities to meet the American public as part of a series of carefully managed public meetings.

On Tuesday, a Buckingham Palace spokesman acknowledged that the visit, which was at the request of the British government and has faced repeated calls to cancel it, came at a dangerous time for the so-called “special relationship”.

Regarding the visit, which has been planned for nearly a year to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, he said: ‘This is a celebration of the partnership between two nations and two peoples. It’s a relationship that has survived many presidencies and, of course, many reigns, and will undoubtedly continue to do so long into the future.’

Sources emphasized that the King and Queen ‘have a unique role in forging alliances even in challenging circumstances’.

The monarch (pictured) was expected to address the ‘challenging’ nature of Anglo-American relations in his address to Congress

They emphasized that the whole strategic aim of the State Visit was for the King to use the monarchy’s legendary brand of ‘soft power’ to cement even the most difficult relationships.

It has been suggested that the King’s address to a joint session of Congress, the second time a British monarch has been invited to the meeting after his late mother Queen Elizabeth in 1991, could be a chance to do so.

An FCDO spokesman added: ‘So yes, we are close allies, we disagree on some issues, but that does not detract from the value both parties derive from this relationship and have done for decades.’

President Trump described Britain’s approach to the Iran conflict as ‘horrible’ and repeatedly mocked Sir Keir as ‘no Winston Churchill’.

He also harshly criticized the depleted Royal Navy, describing Britain’s warships as ‘toys’.

The King is head of the UK’s armed forces and there have been calls for him to discuss the issue directly with President Trump when they meet.

King Charles’ State Visit will take place April 27-30 in Washington DC, New York and Virginia.

A palace spokesman described it as ‘an opportunity to recognize the shared history of our two nations’; the breadth of economic, security and cultural relations that have developed since then; and the deep human connections that unite communities.’

Charles, 77, and Camilla, 78, will be “informally welcomed” by President Trump and the First Lady with a private tea, followed by a large party featuring guests from both the British and US communities.

The official welcome to the White House will take place later and the King will be given full military honours, similar to those previously received by President Trump in the UK.

Pictured left to right: Queen Camilla, King Charles, Donald Trump and Melania Trump at Windsor Castle in September

The two men will hold a private bilateral meeting at the US leader’s official residence, where every bit of the King’s lifelong experience in international diplomacy will be highlighted.

Meanwhile, Queen Camilla will also join First Lady Melania Trump for a one-on-one meeting.

The King will then deliver a carefully calibrated speech to Congress, watched by his wife, before the couple are hosted at the lavish State Dinner at the White House.

Before leaving Washington, Her Majesty will lay a wreath and flowers in honor of those who died, marking the military partnership between the UK and the US.

In New York, Charles and Camilla will hold a series of events reflecting the modern relationship between the UK and the US, including the strong economic and cultural ties.

This will include commemorating those who lost their lives in the September 11 terrorist attacks nearly 25 years ago and meeting with first responders and victims’ families.

The King will also visit business and financial leaders, as well as a grassroots community organization that helps children affected by food insecurity through ‘urban, after-school farming’.

Meanwhile, the Queen will attend a literary event celebrating Winnie the Pooh’s 100th birthday and will use the Queen’s Reading Room charity to bring together high-profile writers from both sides of the Atlantic.

The couple will conclude the New York leg of their visit with a reception to celebrate the King’s Trust’s work for disadvantaged young people.

Back in Washington, the couple will receive a formal farewell from the President and First Lady before heading to Virginia and meeting residents, community organizations and Appalachian cultural groups at a ‘block party’, an American version of the traditional British street party.

Their visit to Virginia will also include visiting one of America’s national parks; where the King will meet indigenous communities, while the Queen will visit a farm to highlight America’s horse racing industry and its links to the UK.

It is understood that during her time in the US, she will be meeting with survivors as well as organizations working in the field of domestic and sexual violence, as she normally does, as part of her wider public engagements.

As Camilla is a long-term advocate in this area, these meetings are held regularly both domestically and abroad.

But suggestions that he might meet with Epstein survivors have been roundly rejected over concerns it could interfere with official police investigations in Britain, particularly those involving the King’s brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

A Buckingham Palace source said: ‘There is no departure from the guidance we have previously issued that it would not be possible for a meeting of the type proposed to take place during this State Visit.

‘We fully understand and appreciate the plight of the survivors, but we can reiterate that our position remains clear that anything that could potentially impact on ongoing police investigations and assessments, and any potential legal action or criminal proceedings that may arise from this, could be detrimental to the survivors in their quest for justice.’

They also emphasized Her Majesty’s ‘clear constitutional position’ and added: ‘While the risk that a meeting or any public comment could influence these investigations or the proper course of the law is small, in the interests of survivors it is a risk we simply cannot take.’

Once the US State Visit is completed, the King will travel alone to Bermuda, the UK’s oldest Overseas Territory, for two days of talks, where he will remain as head of state.

He will tackle the thorny issue of the transatlantic slave trade by visiting a museum exhibition dedicated to Bermuda’s history.