King Charles has opted not to have an on-camera meeting with Donald Trump in the Oval Office, a space where many global leaders have engaged in tense exchanges with the US President in Washington DC.

Relations between the UK and US are currently strained, leading to Charles and Trump arranging a private meeting during Charles’ upcoming four-day State Visit. By avoiding a public encounter in the Oval Office, the discussions between the two will remain confidential and away from public scrutiny.

This decision follows a series of public clashes between Trump and prominent world leaders in the Oval Office. Charles and Trump will have a private tea upon Charles’ arrival on Monday, April 27, followed by a private one-on-one meeting without journalists or film crews present at The White House the next day.

During his scripted speech to 535 lawmakers in Congress, Charles is expected to address the “challenges” faced by both the US and UK, a speech that will be broadcast on American television. Both leaders are slated to deliver prepared speeches at a White House State Dinner.

Trump’s criticism of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s response to US-Iran relations has added tension ahead of the State Visit. Despite these challenges, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson emphasized the visit as an opportunity to reaffirm and strengthen the enduring bond between the two nations in addressing shared challenges.

The upcoming visit signifies the celebration of a longstanding alliance between the two nations that has endured numerous presidencies and reigns, with a commitment to continue this partnership into the future.

Recent Oval Office encounters with other world leaders, including Ukrainian President Zelensky, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, have been marked by various contentious moments and exchanges.