6:54
The state visit to mark the 250th anniversary of US independence comes amid a strain in the UK – US special relationship following Trump’s repeated bashing of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the US war with Iran.
King Charles III arrived at the White House on Monday with trans-Atlantic ties under strain and the UK-US “special relationship” in the spotlight amid tensions over the Iran war.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Trump and first lady Melania Trump greeted Charles and Queen Camilla posed for photos as they arrived and exchanged small talk before heading inside for tea in the Green Room, in a key visit that forms part of events to mark the 250th anniversary of US independence.
The couples would later go down to the south grounds to see a new beehive in the shape of the White House that the first lady had installed last week, a treat for Royal couple who both support beekeeping.
King Charles keeps at least three beehives at his private residence in England as part of his support for the environment and sustainability. After the White House visit, the royal couple attended a garden party at the British Embassy.
The British Royals’ visit comes two and a half centuries after the American colonies declared independence from Britain under King George III.
Charles has visited the US 19 times, but this is his first state visit to the country since becoming king in 2022. His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, made four state visits to the US.
It also comes amid what some analysts have described as an unprecedented strain in the UK-US special relationship following Trump’s repeated bashing of UK Prime minister Keir Starmer over issues including the Iran war.
Trump praises King Charles but derides Starmer
In recent weeks, Trump has lambasted Starmer over his unwillingness to join US military attacks on Iran, dismissing the British Prime minister as “not Winston Churchill,” the World War II prime minister who coined the phrase “special relationship” for the UK-U.S. bond.
Trump’s strong remarks is part of a wider rift between him and NATO allies, whom he has called “cowards” and “useless” for not joining action against Iran.
Last week, a leaked Pentagon email suggested the US could reassess support for the UK’s sovereignty over the Falkland Islands in the south Atlantic.
Britain and Argentina fought a 1982 war over the islands, also known as the Islas Malvinas.
While his crirticism of Starmer has continued, Trump heaps praises for King Charles. In September, the Trumps were hosted for an unprecedented second UK state visit filled with pomp and pageantry, with scarlet-clad guardsmen, brass bands and a sumptuous banquet at Windsor Castle.
“President Trump has always had great respect for King Charles, and their relationship was further strengthened by the president’s historic visit to the United Kingdom last year,” White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said ahead of the royal couple’s state visit.
“The president looks forward to a special visit by Their Majesties, which will include a beautiful state dinner and multiple events throughout the week.” Kelly said.
Andrew and Epstein cast shadow on visit
Even as the Iran war raises the political stakes for the British monarch’s visit, there remains another issue – the Epstein files.
Looming large over King Charles visit is the shadow of his younger brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who has been stripped of his royal title of Prince Andrew, exiled from public life and put under police investigation over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Andrew has denied committing any crimes but Epstein victims have urged the king to meet with them and other sexual abuse survivor. It is not yet known whether this will form part of the state visit.
In Washington on Tuesday, the king and queen will attend a formal White House state dinner and the royal couple will also visit the Sept. 11 memorial in New York before attending a 250th birthday block party in Virginia, where Charles will also meet Indigenous leaders involved in nature conservation — a favourite cause of the environmentalist king.
Three centuries after Britain’s kings and queens gave up any real political power, the royals remain symbols of soft power, deployed by elected governments to smooth international relationships and send messages about what the U.K. considers important.
A key moment will be the king’s speech to the US Congress on Tuesday. The speech will be the second time, after Queen Elizabeth II in 1991, that a UK monarch has addressed a joint meeting of both houses.
