King Charles is facing calls to scrap his upcoming state visit to the United States, as a recent poll reveals a significant portion of the British public opposes the visit. The monarch is set to journey to America in April to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Although the palace has not yet confirmed the trip, credible sources within the royal circle suggest that both King Charles and Queen Camilla will soon venture to the States to engage in various activities on the East Coast with US President Donald Trump. This royal excursion is anticipated to be a significant event leading up to the Independence Day festivities on July 4.
Despite lacking official confirmation, the rumored state visit has drawn criticism, especially in light of recent US-Israeli military actions in Iran. A YouGov survey revealed that nearly half of respondents (46%) believe the state visit should be called off, while 36% are in favor of proceeding, and 18% are undecided.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under pressure to intervene and prevent the state visit from taking place, citing concerns about the visit’s appropriateness amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Senior Liberal Democrat figure Sir Ed Davey has joined the chorus of voices advocating for the cancellation of the April trip to the US, asserting that the current circumstances, including the conflict in the Middle East and rising energy costs for British households, warrant a reconsideration of the visit.
Political figures such as Labour backbencher Rachael Maskell and Green Party deputy leader Rachel Millward have echoed the sentiment that the state visit should be postponed given the current global situation. The initial push for cancellation came earlier in the year when President Trump issued threats of imposing steep tariffs on the UK unless they supported his controversial bid to acquire Greenland.
President Trump’s admiration for the British royal family is well-known, with the royals being viewed as valuable assets in UK-US diplomatic relations. The President previously lauded King Charles as a “great gentleman and a great King” following his hosting of Trump during a significant state visit to the UK in the previous year.