King Charles Begins Key America Trip Amid UK-US Tensions
US President Donald Trump has warmly praised King Charles III ahead of the monarch’s upcoming state visit to the United States, calling him a “fantastic man” and saying the trip could help improve relations between Britain and America.
Speaking during a phone interview with the BBC, Trump said the visit would have a positive impact on ties between the two allies.
“I know him well, I’ve known him for years,” Trump said. “He’s a brave man, and he’s a great man.”
King Charles will travel to the United States with Queen Camilla for what is expected to be the most significant overseas visit of his reign so far. The trip is seen as an effort to strengthen the long-standing “special relationship” between the two nations after recent strains.
The visit also coincides with the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence, when the original 13 colonies broke away from British rule under King George III, an ancestor of Charles.
During the four-day visit, Charles and Camilla are expected to meet Trump privately, attend a state dinner, address Congress, and visit New York City and Virginia.
The visit comes during a difficult period in UK-US relations, with recent disagreements involving British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US policy over Iran.
Buckingham Palace has also confirmed the King will not meet any survivors connected to Jeffrey Epstein during the trip.
