King Charles’ state visit to the US is at risk of being quietly shelved after being scuppered by America’s war with Iran.
His Majesty was expected to embark on a “slimmed-down” three-day visit at the end of April to mark 250 years of American independence.
Charles and Queen Camilla were set to enjoy an extravagant state banquet at the White House in Washington DC before heading to New York City.
The King would have followed in the footsteps of his late mother, Elizabeth II, who crossed the Atlantic with Prince Phillip half a century earlier for the bicentenary in 1976.
But GB News understands officials are now considering scrapping or at least postponing the trip until the Iran conflict winds down.
The revelation also comes amid a dramatic collapse in UK/US government relations after President Trump attacked Sir Keir Starmer for his response to the Iran war.
A Washington source said: “The King’s trip was already planned to only be a lean, three-day operation that mimicked Trump’s visit to the UK last year.
“But the mechanics of the visit were being worked on long before the US embarked on its conflict with Iran which, whether rightly or wrongly, has its own controversy.
King Charles might have to take a ‘rain check’ on his state visit amid Iran war
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“The feeling from British officials is that it might be best to take a rain check until things have quietened down later this year, though the White House is still open to the April date as it would prove a welcome PR boost for the president at a time of heightened scrutiny over Iran.”
Keir Starmer’s reputation stateside is at an all-time low following the Prime Minister’s stance on Trump’s desire to acquire Greenland and latterly his refusal to back the president in the Iran war.
It was hoped the royal visit could have proven the catalyst to rebuilding relations.
But Trump took aim at Starmer not once but three times this week, firstly by saying the PM was “no Winston Churchill” when asked about Britain refusing to let the US use its bases to launch Iran airstrikes.
PICTURED: Trump disembarks arrives in Mar a Lago
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Later in the week it was reported Trump had been calling Starmer a “loser” at dinner with friends.
The president refused to deny the claim when quizzed, only repeating his earlier barb about Starmer not being Churchill.
And, on Saturday morning, just hours after Starmer urged Trump to negotiate with the Islamist regime of Iran and strike a deal, the president said on Truth Social: “There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!”
The King’s visit to America wasn’t the only royal trip planned stateside for 2026.
Prince William is expected to visit for the World Cup, which kicks off on June 16th.
William, who is a patron of the Football Association, could be in attendance for England’s first game against Croatia in Dallas on June 17.
Buckingham Palace have so far declined to comment on the pending state visit or suggestions it could be postponed.
