Buckingham Palace issues major update on King’s US visit | Royal | News
Buckingham Palace has confirmed that King Charles and Queen Camilla will visit the US as planned despite chaos at a dinner Saturday night attended by President Donald Trump. The incident occurred at the Washington Hilton when a gunman opened fire at a security checkpoint during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, wounding a Secret Service agent before being captured. The suspect was identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen.
A palace spokesman said: “‘Following discussions on both sides of the Atlantic throughout the day, and acting on Government advice, we can confirm that Her Majesty’s State Visit will proceed as planned. The King and Queen are grateful to all those who have worked swiftly to ensure that this remains the case and look forward to the Visit starting tomorrow.”
There will be some minor adjustments to a few missions, but the overall plot will remain as previously directed.
The clash caused guests to dive under tables as the President and First Lady were carried to safety; This marked the third major security breach involving Mr. Trump since 2024.
This latest incident follows the high-profile assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, in which Mr. Trump’s ear was grazed by a bullet, and the subsequent attempt at his golf course in West Palm Beach.
The persistent threat level has put immense pressure on the Secret Service just as it prepares for the logistical complexities of a royal state visit.
The recent increase in diplomatic friction between Washington and London further increases tensions.
Mr Trump has been uncharacteristically hostile towards Britain of late, threatening to walk away from a crucial trade deal and publicly criticizing Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government.
Mr Trump has been particularly critical of Britain’s lack of support for the conflict in the Middle East, telling Britain to “buy its own oil” and questioning the strength of the “Special Relationship”.
Despite this rhetorical hostility and the violence over the weekend, the Palace remains committed to moving forward, viewing the visit as a necessary stabilizing force.
The King is expected to use the four-day trip to bridge those political divides, although the US capital remains on high alert following the weekend’s bloodshed.
A subdued Mr. Trump told reporters at a hastily arranged news conference at the White House late Saturday: “It’s always shocking when something like this happens. It happened to me a little bit. And that never changes.”
Mr. Trump said he was undoubtedly the target. The leadership is “a dangerous profession,” he said, noting that violence associated with politics had escalated in the US and around the world. He added: “No country is immune.”
