King Charles and the Prince of Wales are reportedly planning separate high-profile visits to the United States next year, in what is being described as a royal 'charm offensive' aimed at President Donald Trump. The strategic trips are timed to coincide with the 250th anniversary of American independence and are intended to inject momentum into stalled negotiations for a major bilateral trade agreement.
Diplomatic Missions with a Trade Focus
According to sources, the King is 'highly likely' to travel to the US in April 2024. This would mark his first visit to the country as monarch and the first by a reigning British sovereign since Queen Elizabeth's trip hosted by President George Bush in 2007. Notably, it will also be Charles's first US visit since his son, Prince Harry, stepped back from royal duties and relocated to California with Meghan Markle.
Following this, Prince William is expected to embark on a separate tour of North America during the summer, aligning with the FIFA World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada. As President of the Football Association, the Prince of Wales's itinerary is likely to include England's group stage matches in Dallas, Boston, and New Jersey. There is speculation he could be in the US for the Independence Day celebrations on July 4th.
Reviving the Stalled 'Tech Prosperity' Deal
The royal diplomacy comes at a critical juncture for UK-US relations. Negotiations over a comprehensive free trade deal, a key post-Brexit objective, have slowed significantly. A flagship £31 billion 'tech prosperity' agreement, hailed as a major victory when announced during President Trump's state visit to the UK in September, has now stalled.
American frustrations have been cited, including the UK's 'digital services tax' on US tech giants and British refusals to relax food safety standards for American imports. Further complications arise from US demands for greater agricultural market access. British officials hope the royal visits, following Trump's 'unprecedented' second state visit, will provide a personal incentive for the President to prioritise and finalise a deal before the US mid-term election campaign begins in earnest.
A History of Royal Diplomacy and Personal Ties
The planned visits continue a long tradition of royal diplomacy aimed at nurturing the 'special relationship'. King Charles himself has visited the US over twenty times since his first trip in 1970. During President Trump's recent visit, the King spoke warmly of the enduring bond between the two nations, while Trump referred to Charles as 'my friend'—a sentiment reportedly rooted in his late mother's Scottish heritage and royalism.
The late Queen Elizabeth II undertook five state visits to America, including a memorable trip for the nation's bicentennial in 1976. Reflecting on that historic visit in her Christmas broadcast, she noted the remarkable reconciliation since the War of Independence, stating, 'The United States was born in bitter conflict with Britain but we didn't remain enemies for long.'
With talks on the upcoming trips in an 'advanced' stage, Buckingham Palace has yet to issue an official comment. The success of this dual royal 'charm offensive' could prove pivotal for the UK's economic and diplomatic ambitions in the coming year.
