The British Monarch Attempts to Restore Strained Relations with America 0 9

King Charles III and Queen Camilla will embark on a state visit to the United States at the end of April. For the British monarch, this is the first trip to America since ascending to the throne — and one of the most controversial in recent years.

According to media reports, the decision was not made lightly. Amid the war with Iran and public criticism from Donald Trump towards London, nearly half of Britons expressed opposition to the visit. However, Buckingham Palace took a different approach.

Half of Britons Opposed

Buckingham Palace officially announced that King Charles III and Queen Camilla will make a state visit to the United States at the end of April. The purpose of the trip is to "highlight the historical ties and contemporary bilateral relations between the United Kingdom and the United States." This is the first visit of such a level by a British monarch to America since Charles III ascended the throne in September 2022.

The decision was not without controversy. In recent weeks, pressure has been mounting on the palace to cancel or at least postpone the trip. The main arguments against it are the war with Iran and the sharply deteriorating relations between Washington and London.

Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer for "insufficient support" since the onset of the Middle Eastern conflict. After Starmer denied the Americans the use of British military bases, Trump called it "a big mistake."

"We are not dealing with Winston Churchill," Trump stated, not hiding his disappointment.

A survey by the YouGov polling institute showed that nearly half of Britons are opposed to the king's visit to the United States.

Criticism has also come from Parliament. Labour MP Emily Thornberry called for the trip to be postponed as early as March. According to her, the conflict between Washington and London could "put Charles III and Camilla in an awkward position." The leader of the opposition Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey, expressed even stronger sentiments.

"Why are we rewarding Donald Trump with a state visit from our king?" he posed a rhetorical question.

The U.S. Ambassador Warned That Cancellation Would Be a Mistake

The situation is viewed quite differently in Washington. U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom Warren Stevens warned last week that canceling the visit would be "a big mistake." In his opinion, it is crucial for the countries to demonstrate the strength of their relationship at this time.

For Trump, the upcoming visit will continue a story that began back in 2019. At that time, during his first presidential term, he was welcomed by Queen Elizabeth II. In September 2025, Trump and his wife Melania visited the United Kingdom for the second time.

Charles III and Camilla ceremoniously welcomed the American couple at Windsor Castle.

The program included military honors, a joint carriage ride, and a state banquet. Trump, known as a fan of the British monarchy, received the full set of ceremonial attentions. Now it is London’s turn to make a reciprocal visit — albeit under challenging circumstances.