Politics

Shooting Prompts Discussions About King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s U.S. Visit

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Buckingham Palace said on Sunday that it was assessing plans for this week’s scheduled U.S. visit by King Charles III and Queen Camilla in light of the shooting on Saturday at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, D.C.

The palace said in a statement that discussions would take place “throughout the day” to consider “to what degree the events of Saturday evening may or may not impact on the operational planning for the visit.” It expressed the king’s relief that no guests were hurt.

It said that the king had been “kept fully informed of developments” and that he was “greatly relieved” that Mr. Trump, Melania Trump and all other guests were unharmed.

There was no immediate indication that plans for the king’s state visit, which was scheduled to begin Monday, would change. The British royals have been preparing for a four-day visit hosted by President Trump, including an address to Congress and a banquet at the White House. The visit was arranged to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence, and the royals are set to stop in New York and Washington, D.C.

Planning for the visit began long before the United States and Israel attacked Iran in late February, setting off a war that has put considerable strain on the U.S.- British relationship.

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Mr. Trump has disparaged Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his government over Britain’s reluctance to join the offensive. Still, Mr. Starmer joined a chorus of world leaders to express solidarity with Mr. Trump on Sunday. The British government said that Mr. Starmer had spoken with President Trump by phone on Sunday.

Some have hoped that the royals’ visit could smooth over geopolitical tensions. Mr. Trump likes pomp and circumstance. And he has praised the king, who hosted the president for a state visit to Britain last September.

“I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect,” Mr. Trump wrote on social media last month. “It will be TERRIFIC!”

Esther Bintliff contributed reporting.

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