US President Donald Trump has assured that King Charles III and Queen Camilla will be 'very safe' during their state visit to the United States, which began on Monday. Trump emphasized that the White House grounds are 'really safe' following security talks between the White House and Buckingham Palace after a gunman gained access to a Trump event in Washington DC on Saturday.

The four-day visit commences in Washington DC with a formal welcome at the White House. The King is scheduled to address the US Congress on Tuesday, a diplomatic high-wire act that requires balancing UK government positions with maintaining friendly relations with Trump.

UK Ambassador to the US, Sir Christian Turner, stated the visit is about 'renewing and revitalising a unique friendship' between the two nations. He confirmed that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer spoke with Trump on Sunday, and the trip will proceed largely as planned, focusing on investment, military cooperation, and people-to-people connections.

However, the visit has drawn criticism. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called for its cancellation, labeling Trump an 'unreliable' ally. Green Party leader Zack Polanski said he 'feels sorry' for the King and suggested the UK should take a sterner line with the US rather than 'sending a monarch to be paraded'.

Trump, an enthusiastic fan of the monarchy, praised King Charles as 'a fantastic person and a tremendous representative'. He expressed hope that the visit could help repair relations with the UK, which have been strained by disagreements over Iran and trade tariffs.

The visit includes events in Washington DC, New York (including a visit to the 9/11 Memorial), and Virginia. It aims to showcase the enduring partnership between the US and UK, despite current diplomatic tensions and political divisions within the UK.

Source: www.bbc.com