King Charles III and Queen Camilla are set to proceed with their first U.S. visit as British monarchs, despite a shooting incident that occurred at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington D.C. The royal couple’s visit will go ahead as planned after discussions between Buckingham Palace and U.S. officials.
Royal Visit to Continue Amidst Security Concerns
A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace confirmed that the State Visit by Their Majesties will proceed as scheduled. “Following discussions on both sides of the Atlantic through the day, and acting on advice of Government, we can confirm the State Visit by Their Majesties will proceed as planned,” the spokesperson stated. “The King and Queen are most grateful to all those who have worked at pace to ensure this remains the case and are looking forward to the Visit getting underway tomorrow.” Minor adjustments to one or two engagements are anticipated, but the overall plan remains unchanged.
Earlier, a palace spokesperson shared that King Charles was being kept informed and was relieved that President Donald Trump, the First Lady, and all guests were unharmed. Discussions were held throughout the day with U.S. colleagues to assess any impact on operational planning for the visit. The King and Queen reportedly reached out privately to President Trump and Melania Trump following the incident.
President Trump Welcomes Royal Visit
President Trump confirmed that King Charles’s trip to the U.S. was moving forward as planned. “King Charles is coming and he’s a great guy and we look forward to it,” Trump said. “He’s really a fantastic person and a tremendous representative.” Trump also praised the monarch’s bravery in fighting his health issues, noting his ongoing battle with cancer.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prince Albert of Monaco, along with Princess Charlene, expressed their solidarity with President Trump following the attack. Starmer condemned the violence, stating, “Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.”
Details of the Royal Itinerary
The royal couple’s visit, timed to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s independence, includes stops in Washington D.C., New York, and Virginia. In Washington D.C., King Charles and Queen Camilla will be welcomed by President Trump and Melania Trump for a private tea at the White House. Their schedule features a ceremonial military review, cultural engagements, a garden party, and bilateral meetings. King Charles is also set to deliver a rare address to a joint session of Congress.
Following their engagements in the capital, the couple will attend a state dinner at the White House before departing for New York and Virginia. In these locations, they will visit the 9/11 Memorial, community and cultural projects, and attend events highlighting U.S.-U.K. ties. This visit follows Queen Elizabeth II’s trip in 2007 to commemorate the Jamestown settlement anniversary.
