The King and Queen will begin their eagerly-anticipated state visit to the United States today – just hours after what the White House called an attempted assassination of President Donald Trump
The King’s controversial state visit to the US finally kicks off today – just hours after what the White House called an attempted assassination of President Donald Trump.
Charles and Queen Camilla are due to meet with Trump and First Lady Melania a handful of times over the duration of the visit to America this week.
On Saturday night, there were chaotic scenes when a gunman attempted to storm the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, which the president had been attending. Trump, his wife and other senior members of the administration were bundled to safety by Secret Service agents as guests took cover under tables in the ballroom of the Washington Hilton after shots were fired nearby.
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One officer was hit but was wearing a bulletproof vest and is expected to make a full recovery. The authorities believe the attack on the black-tie event was directed at Mr Trump and other senior government figures.
But despite the major security scare, Buckingham Palace has confirmed the King and Queen’s visit will go ahead – but royal sources say there will be ‘adjustments’ to the programme.
A senior palace source said the decision to alter the programme was made on official advice at emergency meetings scheduled in the aftermath of the Washington Hilton shooting.
It is expected that two engagements throughout the four-day schedule would be altered. The source added that the King and Queen were still “very much looking forward” to their visit to the United States and would “keep calm and carry on”. Trump later confirmed the state visit would go ahead during a 60 Minutes interview late last night.
UK Ambassador to the US, Sir Christian Turner, said British and American counterparts had been working day and night since the Washington Hilton shooting to ensure safety protocols and confirm that the State Visit could take place.
The decision for Charles’ state visit to go ahead comes amid warnings from security experts that the King is at risk simply by standing beside Trump after the latest assassination attempt on the President.
Ex-FBI agent Jonathan Gillam said he is astonished a potential assassin was allowed to get near the President once again in what is the third attempt on Trump’s life in the last two years. Meanwhile, former British army officer and security expert Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, who served with the Royal Tank Regiment and as head of chemical and biological counter-terrorism, said: “The threat is to Trump.
“Security around the King is always very strong and is constantly reviewed as threats change, which then alters the security stance. But the King will be more concerned about being near Trump than Trump will be about being near the King.
“There is a risk by default and a risk by association. Especially in the States, the main risk comes from a lone wolf gunman in a society run by guns. This man did not get anywhere close, but the last assassination attempt was almost inexplicable; he got so close.”
The trip comes at a pivotal moment for the UK and US, with relations between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the American leader fractious. Trump has branded the UK’s approach to the Iran war “terrible” and repeatedly lashed out at Sir Keir – at one point describing him as “not Winston Churchill”.
Reports have suggested the US could review its position on the Falkland Islands in retaliation for Sir Keir’s lack of support for the war in Iran. The monarchy’s soft power diplomacy is its strongest weapon in support of the UK’s overseas interests. There will be hope in Downing Street that Charles and Camilla can help put the UK-US relationship on a firmer footing.
Trump appears to have an affinity with the King, saying when asked by the BBC if the visit could help repair strained transatlantic relations: “Absolutely. He’s fantastic. He’s a fantastic man. Absolutely, the answer is yes.”
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