King Charles and Donald Trump are expected to come face-to-face again following the president’s visit to the UK last year.
This time, though, the encounter is set to take place in the United States rather than Britain.
On September 17, 2025, President Trump and First Lady Melania travelled to Windsor, where they met the Prince and Princess of Wales and greeted the King.
During the engagement, the two appeared to be in upbeat conversation, with the president at one point placing a hand on Charles’ arm while Melania and Queen Camilla spoke nearby.
Now the monarch and queen are due to head across the Atlantic on April 27 for a four-day visit timed around the 250th anniversary of the US regaining independence from Britain.
Some observers have suggested the trip could also serve as a diplomatic reset, following tensions between Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer in recent weeks amid the US’s war against Iran.
According to Buckingham Palace spokesperson, per Reuters: “The visit … recognises the challenges the United Kingdom, the United States, and our allies face across the world. This visit is a moment to reaffirm and renew our bilateral ties as we address those challenges together, in the UK’s national interest.”
Reports indicate the schedule includes a meeting with the Trumps in Washington for a private tea, followed by a White House ceremony and a state dinner, culminating with a further engagement between the two couples.
While in the US capital, the King is also expected to deliver an address to Congress, before the pair travel to New York to meet families of those killed in the 9/11 attacks.
The final US stop is set to be Virginia, after which the King will continue on to the British territory of Bermuda.
Even so, there is concern in some quarters that Trump could make comments that leave the monarch in an uncomfortable situation.
“(Trump) is a dangerous and corrupt gangster, and that is how we must treat him,” Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrat party, told parliament on April 13.
“I really fear for what Trump might say or do while our king is forced to stand by his side. We cannot put His Majesty in that position.”
Per an Instagram announcement, Buckingham Palace confirmed: “The King and Queen will visit the United States of America from 27th – 30th April and His Majesty will visit Bermuda from 1st – 2nd May 2026.”
The visit follows sharp criticism from Trump aimed at Starmer, accusing him of failing to offer sufficient assistance as the US armed forces continue the conflict, which began on February 28.
Trump has repeatedly taken aim at Starmer over his decision not to participate in the Iran war, claiming the prime minister was ‘not Winston Churchill’ and that America’s relationship with the UK was ‘obviously not as it was’ because of it.
“I think that I like Starmer, but I think he’s made a tragic mistake in closing the North Sea oil,” he told Sky News. “You see, your energy prices are the highest in the world. And I think he’s made a tragic mistake on immigration.”
Trump continued: “How is the relationship? It’s the relationship where: when we asked them for help, they were not there. When we needed them, they were not there. When we didn’t need them, they were not there. And they still aren’t there.”