The British King Charles III. and Queen Camilla on a state visit to the Vatican.Image: keystone
April 27, 2026, 3:59 p.mApril 27, 2026, 4:00 p.m
The British King Charles III is under the impression of the shots at the correspondents’ dinner in Washington. left for a state visit to the USA.
The monarch will be “very safe” on the White House grounds, US President Donald Trump told CBS before he was scheduled to receive the 77-year-old and his wife, Queen Camilla (78), for tea in the afternoon (local time).
The reason for the visit is the 250th anniversary of the USA’s declaration of independence from Great Britain in the summer. After the shooting and the dramatic images from the hall in a Washington hotel, the plans were reconsidered almost at the last minute, as the palace announced.
On Saturday evening, an armed man tried to get into the ballroom where Trump and other government members were attending the dinner. When shots were fired, the presidential couple and other members of the government were brought to safety. One officer was injured in the incident. The attacker was arrested and there is a debate in the USA about the security precautions.
First Lady Melania Trump (left) and US President Donald Trump attend the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in Washington, DC, USA on April 25, 2026. Shots will be fired later at the event.Image: keystone
The palace said the king was being kept fully informed of developments and was “very relieved to hear that the president, first lady and all guests were uninjured.” After discussion on “both sides of the Atlantic” and “on the advice of the (British) government,” it was decided: The royals will travel to Trump as planned.
Trump is considered a royal admirer
This may have brought relief to the government headquarters Downing Street. There it is hoped that the king can improve the recently difficult relations between the two allies. Trump is considered an admirer of the British royals, Charles is an accomplished diplomat.
President Donald Trump and Britain’s King Charles III. inspect the Guard of Honor upon their arrival at Windsor Castle, September 17, 2025Image: keystone
“He’s a great person,” Trump told Fox News in advance. «We’re looking forward to it. He is a truly fantastic person and an outstanding representative.” The British king has been a friend of his “for a long time,” said Trump, whose Scottish mother once immigrated to the States.
A private exchange between the royal couple and Trump (79) and his wife Melania (56) was planned for Monday. Animal lover Charles III the White House beehive was to be presented. Further joint dates are to follow, including a garden party, a military ceremony and a state banquet. As only the second British monarch after his mother Queen Elizabeth II, Charles is also scheduled to give a speech to Congress.
Tightrope act for King Charles
The visit is considered a balancing act because of Donald Trump’s fickle character. In the past few days and weeks, the Republican has repeatedly made anything but diplomatic comments about British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, at whose request the trip is taking place. Trump is particularly offended by the British unwillingness to support his war against Iran.
Trump is also a difficult partner for the monarch because of his openly expressed desire to incorporate Canada into the USA. Charles III is also Canada’s head of state. The king is also a constant reminder of environmental and climate protection – Trump, on the other hand, likes to rail against wind turbines and considers climate change to be a hoax.
Protesters from the “Stop Trump Coalition,” which is a parody of President Donald Trump and British King Charles III. dressed up and carrying a dummy rocket, demonstrate on April 27, 2026, in front of Buckingham Palace in London.Image: keystone
Nevertheless, the Sunday Times reports, citing palace insiders, the king is in good spirits and is looking forward to the challenge. Trump’s statements about a friendship between the two should therefore be confirmed.
No meeting with Epstein victims
The royal couple will travel to New York later this week. There, the royals want to meet, among other things, rescue workers and relatives of victims of the attacks on September 11, 2001. According to the Sunday Times, a meeting with New York’s Democratic Mayor Zohran Mamdani is also on the agenda. The last stop in the USA is Virginia, where Charles and Camilla want to meet with representatives of the Native Americans.
The palace rejected calls for a meeting with survivors and relatives of the victims of the abuse scandal surrounding the late US multimillionaire Jeffrey Epstein. Charles’ younger brother, ex-Prince Andrew (66), was friends with Epstein for many years. Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre accused him of abusing her as a minor. Andrew always rejected this. Nevertheless, he agreed to a settlement with Giuffre that was reportedly worth millions.
British newspaper front pages following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in Liverpool, UK, on February 20, 2026.Image: keystone
The British media predicted that the king would not be able to avoid the issue entirely. He and other activists want to have a close presence during King’s speech to Congress, said Giuffre’s brother, Sky Roberts, who attended a memorial for his sister over the weekend. Giuffre committed suicide a year ago. Roberts had urgently asked the king for a meeting during a BBC interview. (val/sda/dpa)