King Charles III and Queen Camilla will travel to the United States next month, Buckingham Palace has confirmed, putting weeks of speculation to rest.
In an official statement, the royal household said the visit will take place on the advice of the UK government and at the invitation of Donald Trump.
“The King and Queen will undertake a State Visit to the United States of America,” the Palace announced, highlighting the importance of the trip.
The visit is expected to focus on celebrating the historic relationship and modern partnership between the UK and the US.
During their stay, King Charles and Queen Camilla will also take part in engagements marking the 250th anniversary of American Independence, underlining the symbolic significance of the tour.
Next stop: Bermuda visit
Following the US trip, King Charles will travel to Bermuda.
This will mark his first official royal visit as monarch to a British Overseas Territory, adding further importance to the wider tour.
Trip comes after diplomatic tensions
The announcement comes after weeks of debate over whether the visit should go ahead. Calls had emerged for postponement following tensions between Washington and London.
President Trump had previously criticised UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the UK’s stance during the Iran-related conflict, describing Britain’s military support as insufficient.
He also made remarks about UK aircraft carriers, calling them “toys” compared to those of the United States, while criticising NATO allies for delayed involvement.
According to reports, US ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens described cancelling the trip as “a mistake,” warning it could provoke a strong reaction from Trump.
Royal biographer Andrew Lownie suggested the visit could provide an opportunity for King Charles to influence diplomatic outcomes and strengthen ties between the two nations.
