Plans are being drawn up for King Charles to embark on an even bigger trip to the US despite fears the monarch could be "embarrassed" thanks to President Donald Trump. Sir Keir Starmer is under pressure to delay the royal tour with Labour calling for it to be postponded.
The tour is intended to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence and would see the King visit Washington and New York, with the potential for a third city to be added. There are also discussions about extending the visit to include a stop in the Caribbean. The visit is being seen as an important opportunity to reinforce the “special relationship” following recent tensions over the Iran conflict.
Officials are reportedly finalising plans for the landmark trip, reports The Sun.The US President has repeatedly criticised Starmer in recent weeks over what he sees as a lack of support for American and Israeli actions.
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It is believed that Starmer raised the King’s proposed visit during a call with Mr Trump in an effort to ease tensions between the two allies.
Mr Trump, who has long admired the Royal Family, is seen by his aides as especially receptive to diplomatic efforts involving the monarchy.
However, Dame Emily Thornberry, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, warned yesterday that it may be “safer” to delay the trip.
“If it was to go ahead, it would go ahead against a backdrop of a war and that, I think, is quite difficult – and the last thing that we want to do is to have their majesties embarrassed", she told the BBC.
Just hours ago Trump raged at Starmer and other European leaders over the Iran war with a furious post on Truth Social.
The 79-year-old leader insisted the US could win the war against Iran without any help, adding that most NATO allies had told him they were unwilling to take part in the country’s military operation.
He wrote: The United States has been informed by most of our NATO “Allies” that they don’t want to get involved with our Military Operation against the Terrorist Regime of Iran, in the Middle East, this, despite the fact that almost every Country strongly agreed with what we are doing, and that Iran cannot, in any way, shape, or form, be allowed to have a Nuclear Weapon."
