UK Royals head to the U.S. amid Iran war, shooting and rocky relations

The U.K.’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s state visit to the U.S., set to begin on Monday, comes at a time of heightened domestic and geopolitical tension for Washington and London.

The visit is taking place just two days after the shocking shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday in which U.S. President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania and top U.S. officials were bundled out of harm’s way by security agents as a suspected shooter tried to gain access to the hall, in the Washington Hilton hotel, where the officials and journalists were gathered.

The suspected gunman, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, was apprehended by security personnel and is due to be formally charged in court in Washington on Monday.

It was decided at the weekend that the Royals’ four-day visit would go ahead as planned despite security concerns. Buckingham Palace said there would be a few minor modifications to the schedule, but did not give further details.

“Following discussions on both sides of the Atlantic through the day, and acting on advice of Government, we can confirm the State Visit by Their Majesties will proceed as planned,” the Palace commented on Sunday.

“The King and Queen are most grateful to all those who have worked at pace to ensure this remains the case and are looking forward to the Visit getting underway tomorrow,” it added.

Trump told CBS News’ 60 Minutes on Sunday that the Royals would be safe during their visit: “I think it’s ‌great; he’ll be very safe,” the president said in the broadcast interview, adding: “The White House grounds are really safe.” 

On arriving in Washington on Monday afternoon, the king and queen will be welcomed by Trump and the first lady before attending a garden party including guests representing ties between the two countries.

There will be a formal ceremony welcoming the Royals later at the White House, which will feature a ceremonial military review. King Charles is due to meet privately with the president and is then expected to address both houses of Congress, marking only the second time a British monarch has addressed a joint meeting, following Queen Elizabeth II’s speech at the Capitol during a state visit to the U.S. in 1991. Charles and Camilla will return to the White House for a state dinner hosted by Trump and his wife.

The visit will then see the Royals visiting New York and Virginia, to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The Royals have reportedly been in touch with Trump and his wife to express their sympathies following the attack on Saturday. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also commented…