King Charles could see his long-awaited state visit to Washington DC thrown into uncertainty after a new wave of criticism from former President Donald Trump.
The US leader lashed out at Britain on social media and in public statements, labeling Britain a “once-great ally” and claiming Washington “did not need” British support in its campaign against the Islamic Republic.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called on Sir Keir Starmer to advise the king to reconsider the visit in April, warning that a royal appearance could be seen as a diplomatic victory for a president who “repeatedly insults and damages our country.”
Labor backbencher Rachael Maskell echoed the sentiment, suggesting the trip should be put on hold unless King Charles’ focus was on directly addressing the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Green Party deputy Rachel Millward described the US under Trump as a “rogue state” and called the idea of a royal visit “unthinkable” at this time.
This comes after Trump’s recent comments aboard Air Force One dismissing Britain’s potential deployment of aircraft carriers as unnecessary saying: “We’ve already won.”
Downing Street confirmed that Sir Keir had a conversation with the US President in which both leaders discussed the situation in the Middle East and ongoing military cooperation through RAF bases.
