The King and Queen Camilla are expected to undertake engagements with the US President in April, ahead of festivities commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence scheduled for July.

This would mark the first royal State Visit to America since the late Queen Elizabeth II travelled there at the invitation of President George W Bush in 2007.

It is anticipated that the Prince of Wales will make his own journey across the Atlantic later this year, with timing expected to align with the World Cup football tournament being staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer.

Both royal trips are understood to be part of a coordinated strategy to revitalise talks with the Trump administration.

Relations between London and Washington have been notably strained throughout 2026, reaching a boiling point when Sir Keir initially declined to authorise American military aircraft to utilise British bases for offensive operations against Iran in February.

The decision prompted heavy criticism from the US President, who publicly stated that Sir Keir was “no Winston Churchill”.

Keir Starmer has sought to play down the diplomatic rift, stressing that security services from both countries continue working together “as they always have”.

The Prime Minister has maintained that his decisions are aligned with “Britain’s best interests”.

However, President Trump revealed he has not forgiven Sir Keir and that Britain could face consequences over the Prime Minister’s handling of the Iran conflict during a press conference in Washington DC on Thursday.

Donald Trump told GB News yesterday regarding his relationship with Keir Starmer: “I think he is a lovely man, but he did something that was shocking. He did not want to help us.

“With that country (the UK), we have the longest bond, the longest ally. We spend trillions of dollars on protecting Europe (and) Nato, they were not there for us. Your Prime Minister was not there.

“We are always going to be there, at least we were, I don’t know about anymore, I have to be honest.”

In contrast, regarding King Charles, the US President told The People’s Channel: “He is a friend of mine, he is a great gentleman. As you know, he honoured me and our country. We had an amazing time.

“I have known him as Prince Charles, I know him as King Charles, I am proud of him. He is fighting a tough battle. He is tough.” President Trump added: “He is going to be here very soon, we are going to have a state dinner, it is going to be great.”

Tension between Sir Keir and President Trump emerged in January when President Trump launched a social media assault on Britain’s Chagos Islands agreement, branding the decision to transfer the archipelago to Mauritius as “an act of great stupidity” and “total weakness.”

President Trump’s remarks came months after he and senior American officials had previously given their backing to the arrangement, which was signed in May and valued at £3.4billion.

The President went on to suggest that both China and Russia had taken note of what he characterised as weakness from the UK Government.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman countered President Trump’s criticism by pointing out that Washington supported the deal, adding that “the president explicitly recognised its strength last year.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Britain will retain control of the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, the largest island in the archipelago, through a lease-back arrangement with Mauritius.

Officials explained that action was necessary because court rulings had undermined Britain’s legal position regarding Diego Garcia, threatening the base’s future operational capacity.

The deal also received endorsement from Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The UK Government is now hoping the State Visit, an alternative diplomatic channel, will improve the special relationship.

Sir Keir Starmer has already shown his awareness of the Royal Family’s influence with President Trump in February 2025.

During a visit to the White House, the Prime Minister personally delivered an invitation letter from King Charles to the President.

Additionally, Sir Keir described Trump’s previous State Visit in 2019 as a “tremendous success” and characterised the invitation for a return visit as “truly historic” and “unprecedented”.

After reading the letter in the Oval Office, Trump told reporters he accepted the invitation, calling it an “honour” to visit a “fantastic” country.

He added that King Charles was “a beautiful man, a wonderful man”.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams has emphasised the significance of President Trump’s fondness for the Royal Family in navigating the current diplomatic challenges.

Speaking to GB News, Mr Fitzwilliams said: “It is terribly important, if you look at how erratic Trump is, the one thing that has been consistent is that he loves the Royal Family.

“Relations between the US and the UK are extremely strained. There is little doubt that the special relationship is vitally important to Britain.”

Mr Fitzwilliams added: “Trump has an affection for the King because when he lost the election (in 2020), the then-Prince Charles kept in touch with him with handwritten letters, which greatly touched him.”

This personal connection was evident during President Trump’s State Visit to Britain in September 2025, when he described the King as “a great gentleman and a great King” during their farewell.

The US President also lavished praise upon Prince William when addressing 160 guests at St George’s Hall in Windsor Castle.

Mr Trump said: “His Majesty has also raised a remarkable son in His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales. Really amazing. We’ve gotten to know you and I think you’re going to have an unbelievable success in future.”

The President also expressed admiration for the Princess of Wales, stating: “Melania and I are delighted to visit again with Prince William and to see Her Royal Highness, Princess Catherine, so radiant and so healthy, it’s so beautiful. It’s really a great honour, thank you.”

Mr Fitzwilliams highlighted the potential diplomatic value of a US visit by the Prince and Princess of Wales during the World Cup in the build-up to the 250th anniversary of American independence.

He told GB News: “The thought of William and Catherine paying an official visit would make it a double-header and very important.”

The commentator added: “William and Catherine, the world’s most glamorous royal couple, being in the US is just the thing Trump would love. On paper, it makes total sense.”

The President’s warm rapport with Prince William was also apparent during their December 2024 meeting in Paris following the Notre Dame Cathedral reopening, where President Trump described the prince as “a good man” doing “a fantastic job.”

However, not all observers share such optimism about the diplomatic potential of the royal visit to America.

Graham Smith, chief executive of Republic, Britain’s largest anti-monarchy pressure group, has raised concerns about the implications of King Charles travelling to Washington next month.

Mr Smith told GB News: “When he (King Charles) is there, he will not say anything to stand up for British attitudes towards Trump. The visit will serve Trump’s interests as he wants to be flattered, but it will not do well for the rest of us.”

He continued: “It could be potentially damaging to Charles and us as a country if the wrong message is sent to a worldwide audience.”

The Republic chief also questioned the appropriateness of the visit given Britain’s stance on the Iran conflict.

Mr Smith said: “It is odd that we are not in favour of the war in Iran, but we are sending our head of state to stand alongside America’s head of state.

“A State Visit should reflect the country’s values and priorities, and I don’t think it is doing that at all, it will be quite the opposite.”

US immigration lawyer Melissa Chavin, based in London, offered a different perspective on what discussions might emerge during the State Visit.

Ms Chavin told GB News that climate change would likely feature prominently, describing it as “a comfortable space for King Charles to speak on”.

She stated that President Trump “will be on his best behaviour” to ensure the State Visit succeeds, while identifying potential areas of friction between the US and the UK.

Ms Chavin said: “The US is concerned that ‘Hate Speech’ is not allowed in the UK to the same extent that it is in the US.”

She added: “Permissive borders in the UK is another topic that could come up, and he may imply that the UK is not doing enough security screenings.”

Downing Street will be aware of the potential pitfalls of King Charles standing alongside President Donald Trump on the world stage, with Keir Starmer at risk of suffering further public criticism.

However, advising the King to pull out of the visit would almost certainly plunge the relationship between the Prime Minister and President to an irretrievable depth.

Keir Starmer has been left with no choice but to roll the dice and bet on the Royal Family in his moment of need.