King Charles would be taking a huge risk by considering a visit to the United States, as the country remains embroiled in conflict with Iran.
A Labor backbencher has urged the British monarch to reconsider his plans, which could spark outrage among Britons.
Polly Billington, MP for East Thanet, expressed concerns about what a royal appearance with Donald Trump would look like at the time, saying: “I think we need to think very carefully about how we roll out things like a state visit. Because of the message it sends.”
In conversation with BBC Radio 4’s Westminster Time, Billington said: “I think at the moment I don’t want to see anything that embarrasses the monarch.”
Dame Emily Thornberry, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee, also warned against traveling to America at this time, previously saying it would be “safer to delay” the trip.
Although not yet officially confirmed, the King and Queen Camilla are expected to fly to Washington and New York next month, in the run-up to the 250th anniversary celebrations of American independence.
However, Trump wants the British king to fight for the United States, as he said last week that the monarch would visit him “very soon.”
The ongoing conflict, which has put increasing economic pressure on Britain, could well continue even if the two countries meet.
Relations between London and Washington appear increasingly strained, with Trump calling Britain’s handling of the situation “terrible” and repeatedly attacking Sir Keir Starmer, at one point calling him “not Winston Churchill.”
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister claimed Britain would avoid being drawn into a “wider war”.
On the other hand, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch supported the state visit going ahead as planned.
“I think it makes sense, and it also reminds people that some people are above this diplomatic spat,” she said.
Nigel Farage, Britain’s Reform leader, argued that current transatlantic tensions make the royal visit “even more imperative” and insisted it must go ahead.
A recent YouGov poll found that 46% of the British public believe the king should abandon his trip and stay in the country this year.
