Lib Dem leader calls off King Charles’ US trip over Trump comments

LONDON (Reuters) – A planned visit by King Charles III to the United States is under threat after US President Donald Trump’s inflammatory remarks about Britain. The move follows London’s initial blocking of US forces from using British bases in Afghanistan during their attack on Iran.

Trump has previously criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer, alleging that Starmer “ruined” the Special Relationship with the US and claimed he was not as influential or significant as Winston Churchill, a comparison disparaging to the UK’s ceremonial head of state. This comes after Trump’s January comments about European troops staying out of the front lines in Afghanistan, which drew a strong response from Starmer.

The Liberal Democrats’ leader Ed Davey suggested cancelling the visit due to its potential political fallout with President Trump. He emphasized that such an arrangement would further exacerbate already strained relations between the US and Britain, putting Charles, the king, at the center of a potentially high-stakes diplomatic situation.

Davey, a key figure in British politics who advised on foreign policy during Starmer’s tenure, stated, “A state visit from our king should not be given to someone who repeatedly insults and damages our country.” His comments underscore Trump’s recent criticisms, including his tariff policies which have been contentious for months.

While Charles did host an unprecedented second state visit with President Trump last September, the US president’s behavior was described as inconsistent by Davey. The senior minister Steve Reed defended the king’s diplomatic efforts, stating that it was not the place of critics like Davey to comment on official arrangements.

Despite these tensions, Buckingham Palace remains tight-lipped about the trip until its specifics are confirmed. The British government continues to leverage royal goodwill towards bolstering relations with Trump, who has shown interest in further engagement with Britain’s monarchy despite his controversial comments and actions abroad.