The King and the Prince of Wales are reportedly planning separate visits to the United States in 2026, a year that will mark the 250th anniversary of American independence.
Advanced discussions for a trip by the King are said to be underway, while Prince William is expected to visit during the Fifa World Cup later that year, according to reports in The Times.
These potential royal engagements would be the first by a reigning British monarch since 2007.
But it would also come as the UK continues efforts to finalise a trade deal with the US after Washington reportedly paused the tech partnership announced during president Donald Trump’s state visit to Britain in September.
Earlier in December, Downing Street said the government was still in “active conversations” with the US on the tech deal.
But the prime minister’s spokesman acknowledged that “negotiations of this kind are never straightforward”.
Reports suggested US negotiators had become frustrated by slow progress in agreeing a wider trade deal announced in May 2025, when Britain avoided the 20 per cent tariffs Mr Trump imposed on much of the rest of the world.
Britain’s digital services tax, opposed by Mr Trump’s big tech backers, and the sensitive issue of greater access to British markets for US farmers, are thought to be key impediments.
The Times suggested the King’s visit to the US could take place in April.
William, who is president of the Football Association, could then visit during the World Cup being held in the US, Canada and Mexico between June and July.
The royal family has played a key role in the United Kingdom’s ongoing relationship with Mr Trump, who has made no secret of his love of them. One of his first memories involves watching his late mother, Mary who grew up in the Hebrides, transfixed by the Queen’s coronation in 1953.
During the unprecedented second state banquet for the US president, he took a chance during his speech to hail the special relationship, saying the word special did “not begin to do it justice” as he referred to the Princess of Wales as “so radiant and so healthy and so beautiful.”
The second state visit invitation was interpreted by commentators as a way to appease the US leader as he returned to the White House following Joe Biden’s stint in the Oval Office and make sure that British-American relations continued to be smooth.
Upon receiving the invitation from Sir Keir Starmer in February, Trump said of King Charles: “He’s a beautiful man, a wonderful man and we appreciate – I’ve known him, gotten to know him very well, actually, first term and now second term.”
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