King Charles could see his highly anticipated state visit to Washington DC thrown into uncertainty following a new wave of criticism from former President Donald Trump.
The US leader lashed out at the UK on social media and in public statements, calling Britain a “once great ally” and saying Washington “did not need” British support in its campaign against the Islamic Republic.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has urged Sir Keir Starmer to advise the king to reconsider his April visit, warning that a royal appearance could be seen as a diplomatic victory for a president who “repeatedly insults and harms our country”.
Labor MP Rachael Maskell echoed the sentiment, suggesting the trip should be halted unless King Charles focuses on directly resolving the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Green Party deputy leader Rachel Millward branded the US under Trump a “rogue state” and described the idea of a royal visit as “unthinkable” at this stage.
This follows Trump’s latest comments aboard Air Force One, dismissing the UK’s potential deployment of aircraft carriers as unnecessary, saying: “We’ve already won.”
Downing Street confirmed that Sir Keir had a conversation with the US president, during which the two leaders discussed the situation in the Middle East and ongoing military cooperation via RAF bases.
