King Charles III arrived this Monday, April 27, in the American capital despite the recent shooting at the White House. Buckingham Palace confirmed that the visit seeks to strengthen the relationship with Donald Trump amid geopolitical tensions. The meeting takes place at a critical moment in the relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States, aggravated by differences over the war in Iran.

First modification: 04/27/2026 - 02:14 Last modification: 04/28/2026 - 05:13

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The state visit of Carlos III to the United States will continue as planned, despite the impact generated by the recent shooting that occurred in Washington during the correspondents' dinner at the White House in which the Republican president was present.

The appointment was confirmed by the Royal Palace after a day of consultations with American authorities in which it was announced that the British monarch and his wife, Camilla, will travel this Monday, April 27 for a four-day official visit to the United States.

“President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will receive His Majesty King Charles III of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Her Majesty Queen Camilla in Washington, for a state visit that will take place from Monday, April 27 to Thursday, April 30, 2026. This occasion marks the first official state visit of the second term of the Trump Administration,” reads a statement on the official White House website.

Doubts about his agenda in the United States came after the shooting that forced an immediate evacuation of Trump and other high-level officials on the night of Saturday, April 25. Although the suspect is now under the control of the authorities, doubts still persist about the security schemes that protect senior officials in Washington.

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Security under review after attack

The shooting, which according to the authorities would have had Trump himself and members of his Administration as possible targets, also raised doubts within the US Government, where questions were raised about whether the Trump-Carlos III meeting would come to fruition.

However, the acting attorney general of the United States, Todd Blanche, assured that there are sufficient guarantees for the monarch's safety during his stay.

From London, Buckingham Palace indicated that the decision to maintain the visit was made after “conversations on both sides of the Atlantic” and following recommendations from the British Government.

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Although possible minor logistical adjustments to the agenda are anticipated, the main program remains intact, sending a joint message of solidity and strength that both governments want to convey to the international community.

Charles III himself has been constantly informed about the evolution of events and, according to official sources, expressed relief upon learning that the American president, the first lady, Melania Trump, and those attending the event were unharmed.

Read also: Will the subtle, but powerful, diplomacy of the British monarchy be able to contain Trump in Canada?

Diplomatic contacts and private gestures

In parallel with the preparations, the king and queen consort established private contact with Trump and his wife to convey their support after the incident, a diplomatic gesture that is part of a broader effort to strengthen bilateral ties at a time of international tensions.

Prior to this visit, President Donald Trump closed a trade agreement in a phone call with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in which customs barriers were eliminated after the friction of the tariff war unleashed by the US president on April 2, 2025.

British Minister Darren Jones confirmed that security teams from both countries have intensified their cooperation in the days leading up to the trip. As he explained, the protection protocols were already in place and will continue to be adjusted as the situation evolves.

“There is close and permanent coordination between our security services,” said Jones, emphasizing that the visit will take place under strict protective measures.

A visit marked by the geopolitical context

Beyond the security incident, the state visit has a strong political and symbolic component, since the trip seeks to reinforce a bilateral relationship that is going through tensions derived, among other factors, from the differences regarding the war with Iran in which Washington has not given in with the bombings, while London has led a purely diplomatic strategy to try to recover the flow through the Strait of Hormuz.

During his stay, Carlos III is expected to hold a private meeting with Trump and give a speech before the US Congress within the framework of the commemorations for the 250 years of the independence of the United States, as stipulated in the agenda.

The trip also represents an opportunity to relaunch cooperation between London and Washington in a complex international scenario, where traditional alliances face new strategic challenges.

With information from Reuters.

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