King Charles III will make a state visit to the US in late April, a trip occurring amid strained UK-US relations over the Iran war.

LONDON: King Charles III will undertake a state visit to the United States in late April, Buckingham Palace announced.

The visit by the King and Queen Camilla will “celebrate the historic connections and the modern bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States”. It coincides with the US marking its 250th anniversary of independence and will be followed by an official visit to the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda.

The confirmation comes during a period of significant strain in the US-UK “special relationship”. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government for its perceived reticence in supporting the US-Israel war against Iran.

Trump recently told countries like Britain to secure the Strait of Hormuz themselves because “the USA won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us”. He has also expressed disappointment with Starmer, stating “This is not Winston Churchill that we’re dealing with”.

A YouGov poll found nearly half of British citizens opposed the visit proceeding, with only a third in favour. Some UK politicians have called for the trip to be delayed.

“Why are we rewarding Donald Trump with a state visit from our king?” asked Ed Davey, leader of the opposition Liberal Democrats. Senior Labour MP Emily Thornberry warned the royals could be left feeling “embarrassed” due to the ongoing conflict.

Washington’s envoy to Britain, Warren Stephens, however, warned last week it would be a “big mistake” for the visit to be cancelled. The royal family’s soft power diplomacy is viewed as an important way of engaging with Trump, who admires the monarchy.

This will be Charles’s first trip to the US as king. He hosted Trump for a lavish state visit last September, which included a state dinner at Windsor Castle.

The last British monarch to make a state visit to the US was Queen Elizabeth II in 2007.

 The Sun Malaysia