Washington hosts royal visits next month
President Trump plans to host monarchs from the UK and Netherlands in separate visits, according to a source speaking to CBS News.
King Charles III is set to visit in April, though specifics are unclear. In September, Trump attended a state dinner at Windsor Castle with Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Catherine.
In June, Trump hosted King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands at Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague. Next month, the Dutch royals will stay overnight at the White House during their visit to Washington, Philadelphia, and Miami, according to the Dutch National Information Service.
An overnight stay for world leaders at the White House is uncommon; they usually stay across the street at Blair House, purchased by the U.S. government during WWII.
The visits precede the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence signing by colonies originally settled by British and Dutch citizens. However, these visits coincide with strained relations between Trump and European leaders, particularly those opposed to war with Iran and his plans for Greenland.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” that NATO countries, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Bahrain, UAE, have come together to address three questions: what is needed, when is it needed, and where is it needed. This follows President Trump’s call for increased defense operations in the Arctic region.
The ongoing war with Iran has led to the Strait of Hormuz being effectively closed, causing energy prices worldwide to surge. Europe’s energy costs remain high from the Russian invasion of Ukraine four years ago. Despite recent cooling on Greenland, Trump remains firm on his demands for NATO to boost defense operations in the Arctic.