King Charles is set to reunite with Donald Trump during his historic four-day visit to the United States, which begins today (April 27). The trip marks the monarch's first visit to America as King and coincides with the 250th anniversary of American independence.
Despite Trump's frequent criticism of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the US President has expressed warm feelings toward King Charles, calling him a "great gentleman" and a "wonderful, wonderful person." According to lip reader Jeremy Freeman, these public statements appear genuine, based on a private exchange observed during Trump's state visit to the UK last September.
At a state banquet in St George's Hall, Trump was caught on camera turning to Charles and saying, "It's so incredible, it's what you do so well." Freeman analyzed the off-mic comment and concluded that Trump's affection for the monarch seems authentic.
However, former royal editor Duncan Larcombe suggested that King Charles may be "privately dreading" the trip, given the strained state of the UK-US relationship. He noted that Trump has openly criticized Starmer's stance on the Iran war, calling it "terrible" and saying Starmer is "no Winston Churchill."
Larcombe added that Charles will benefit from the "calming influence" of his wife, Camilla, and that the visit is "one of, if not the biggest tests of King Charles since he became monarch." Trump has previously expressed disappointment with the UK's lack of support in the Iran conflict, while Starmer has maintained that joining the war is not in Britain's national interest.
The King and Queen Consort are scheduled to have a private tea with President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump during the visit.
