The King’s US state visit programme will “proceed as planned” following discussions on both sides of the Atlantic after what the White House has called the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump.
Charles and Camilla’s security arrangements were discussed in the wake of Saturday’s violent incident at a Washington media dinner where Mr Trump, the first lady and senior figures from his administration were bundled from the room by the secret service after shots were fired.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “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 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 under way tomorrow.”
It is understood there will be some modest operational adjustments to one or two royal engagements during the trip but the overall plan remains as previously outlined.
Charles and Camilla will arrive in Washington on Monday for a four-day visit aimed at marking the 250th anniversary of American independence and strengthening the special UK-US relationship, which has been under serious strain in recent months.
The visit is the most important foreign trip of the King’s reign so far but now has the added element of security concerns following the violent incident at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones said earlier in the day that security discussion would take place on Sunday and in the coming days.
The King and Queen are understood to have reached out privately to the president and his wife, Melania, to express their sympathies with all those affected on the night, and their gratitude to the security services who prevented further injury.
The suspect, said to have been carrying a shotgun and handgun, has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California. One officer who was shot but protected by his bulletproof vest was taken to hospital.
The 31-year-old is understood to have been a guest in the Washington Hilton hotel where the dinner was being held.
The state visit comes at a pivotal moment for the UK and US, with relations between the Prime Minister and the American leader fractious.
Mr Trump has branded the UK’s approach to the Iran war “terrible” and repeatedly lashed out at Sir Keir Starmer – at one point describing him as “not Winston Churchill”.
And reports have suggested the US could review its position on the Falkland Islands in retaliation for Sir Keir’s lack of support for the war in Iran.
The monarchy’s soft power diplomacy is its strongest weapon in support of the UK’s overseas interests and there will be hope in Downing Street that Charles and Camilla can help put the UK-US special relationship on a firmer footing.
Mr Trump appears to have an affinity with the King, saying when asked by the BBC if the visit could help repair strained transatlantic relations: “Absolutely. He’s fantastic. He’s a fantastic man. Absolutely the answer is yes.”
There have been repeated calls by US congressman Ro Khanna and the family of Virginia Giuffre, a victim of convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, for a meeting with the King and Queen, but sources have previously said the couple will not meet them.
The legal implications of Charles and Camilla coming into contact with any survivors of paedophile financier Epstein, and the King’s constitutional position, make a meeting impossible while there are ongoing UK police investigations into matters related to Epstein.
The historic visit, the King’s first visit to the US as monarch, will herald the start of celebrations across the US marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which came after forces led by George Washington defeated Charles’ forebear King George III’s army.
The US first lady has led the preparations for the state visit, and highlights include Charles’ address to both houses of Congress and the royal couple commemorating the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks that brought down New York’s Twin Towers.
The US leader and first lady will meet their royal guests when they arrive at the White House’s south portico on Monday and escort them to the state floor for private tea in the green room.
The first lady announced last week the expansion of the White House’s long-running honey-making programme, including a new beehive shaped like the president’s official residence, and after tea the two couples will visit the bee homes, nestled on the South Lawn near the historic building’s kitchen garden.
Later the King and Queen will attend a garden party featuring guests representing the connection between the US and UK.
