King to visit US in April, Buckingham Palace confirms

Buckingham Palace, King George III. He said Charles will make an official visit to the United States to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence and celebrate the close ties between the two countries.

Charles and the Queen’s long-awaited visit to meet US President Donald Trump will take place in late April, despite calls for it to be postponed due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

Trump is known to be very fond of the royal family, but he has little patience for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has only offered defensive support to his long-time ally in the Iran war.

🇬🇧🇺🇸 On the advice of Her Majesty’s Government and at the invitation of the President of the United States, the King and Queen will pay a State Visit to the United States of America. Her Majesty’s program will celebrate historic links and modern bilateral relations… pic.twitter.com/DY1CltXzVo— Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 31, 2026

Ed Davey, leader of the UK opposition Liberal Democrats, condemned the decision to go ahead with the trip and accused Prime Minister Keir Starmer of showing a “staggering lack of backbone”, while Trump treated the UK with disdain.

The official announcement from Buckingham Palace came less than an hour after Trump told Britain to secure the Strait of Hormuz and “go buy its own oil.”

Charles has visited the United States 19 times, but this will be his first official visit to the country.

His mother was Queen Elizabeth II. Elizabeth made four official visits to the United States.

The visit follows Trump’s official visit to the UK in September.

The event was a glittering affair, featuring dazzling crowns, marching bands and a sumptuous banquet served on 200-year-old silver.

Such demonstrations are intended to strengthen ties between countries, especially in difficult times.

The king will also travel to Bermuda in April, his first visit to an overseas territory as monarch.

with PA