King Charles III will travel to Washington for a private tea and state dinner with US President Donald Trump at a time when the so-called special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom has plummeted to its lowest point in seven decades. The visit, which marks the 250th anniversary of American independence, comes amid deep transatlantic tensions fueled by the US-led war in Iran and Trump’s public belittlement of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
A Delicate Diplomatic Balancing Act
For the British monarch, whose life has been governed by strict protocol, the encounter with a president who delights in breaking norms presents a formidable challenge. Some observers anticipate a masterclass in soft power, while others warn of a potential public humiliation. Brendan Boyle, a Democratic congressman from Pennsylvania, described the king’s position as being in a challenging spot, noting that Charles must wield the soft power of the crown while tiptoeing around Trump’s constant criticism of the British prime minister.
Trump, whose approval rating has fallen to 33% amid domestic political troubles, may hope that the pageantry of a royal visit will provide a welcome distraction. However, his recent attacks on the pope demonstrate his contempt for once-sacred norms, raising questions about whether Charles might suffer a similar fate.
Cultural Capital vs. Political Chaos
The 77-year-old monarch arrives with significant cultural capital, partly due to Trump’s reverence for royalty. The US president reportedly regarded his visit to Windsor Castle last September as a highlight of his first year back in office. Yet, the pairing of a staid, meticulously choreographed monarch with a mercurial president seen as an agent of chaos could hardly be more unlikely.
The Save America Movement, a US pro-democracy group, argues that Charles is wrong to legitimise Trump’s extremism and plans an aggressive advertising campaign to follow the king throughout his visit. Steve Schmidt, a veteran political strategist on the group’s steering committee, described Trump as unhinged and waging an illegal war, warning that the king’s decision to meet him would face fierce opposition. Schmidt even drew parallels to Charles’s uncle, the Duke of Windsor, meeting Adolf Hitler in 1937, asserting that the crown is being used as propaganda.
Epstein Shadows Loom Large
The royal visit is also overshadowed by the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Images of Trump and the late convicted sex offender were projected onto Windsor Castle during a previous state visit. Charles’s brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested in February on suspicion of leaking government documents to Epstein, though he denies any wrongdoing. Palace aides are anxious to keep the king away from reporters who might ask about his brother’s ties to Epstein.
Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna of California, co-author of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, has requested a meeting between Charles and survivors of Epstein’s abuse, but Buckingham Palace has ruled out such a meeting, citing legal advice. Khanna plans a public meeting on Capitol Hill with advocacy groups and Epstein survivors, and he hopes the king will address the issue in his speech to Congress, calling for the release of the Epstein files.
Congressional Address and State Dinner
Charles will be the first British monarch to address a joint meeting of Congress since his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1991. Although the speech is expected to be carefully crafted to avoid political controversy, Khanna hopes the king will speak out against the illegal war in Iran, advocate for climate leadership, and emphasise the need for allies. Trump and Charles will both speak at a state dinner in the White House East Room, with First Lady Melania Trump reportedly intervening to trim the guest list.
After Washington, the royal couple will travel to New York to meet first responders and families of September 11 victims, then to Virginia for a street block party celebrating the 1776 Declaration of Independence.
Mixed Reactions and Historical Context
Susan Page, Washington bureau chief of USA Today and author of a book on the queen and US presidents, noted that Charles’s mother was crucial in preserving the special relationship during crises like the Suez crisis. Charles has made a positive start by cultivating a relationship with Trump, despite a rocky first meeting. Trump himself praised the king as fantastic and brave, suggesting the visit could help repair ties.
Sean Spicer, Trump’s first press secretary, observed that Americans have always had an affinity for the royals. However, Sidney Blumenthal, a former aide to President Bill Clinton, offered a wry take: Charles can come as an expert on the madness of kings, and his speech to Congress should call for the full release of the Epstein files, as the ghost of Jeffrey Epstein haunts everything.
