The King is “greatly relieved” US President Donald Trump, the first lady and other guests at a media dinner were unharmed after a gunman tried to charge the venue, Buckingham Palace has said.
Charles, who begins a four-day US state visit on Monday with Camilla, is being “kept fully informed of developments” after the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner was thrown into chaos by the attack on Saturday night.
Video footage shows the president stumbling as he was bundled from the room by secret service agents who also grabbed vice-president JD Vance by the shoulders and escorted him to safety.
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.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “His Majesty is being kept fully informed of developments and is greatly relieved to hear that the President, First Lady and all guests have been unharmed.
“As you would expect, a number of discussions will be taking place throughout the day to discuss with US colleagues and our respective teams to what degree the events of Saturday evening may or may not impact on the operational planning for the visit.”
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.
He faces charges including assaulting an officer with a dangerous weapon, but acting US attorney general Todd Blanche said additional charges will be filed.
Mr Trump survived an attempted assassination in 2024 when he was shot in the right ear by a gunman during a campaign rally.
Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme that discussions on the King’s security during his visit to the United States would take place on Sunday.
Asked if that meant there would be any escalation on what had already been planned, he said: “There’ll be appropriate security in place in relation to the risk.”
The historic visit, the King’s first visit to the US as monarch, will mark the 250th anniversary of American independence and herald the start of celebrations across the US.
We are counting down to the #StateVisit2026! pic.twitter.com/U6FnoXDG8H
— British Embassy Washington (@UKinUSA) April 26, 2026
Charles and Camilla will mark the milestone at a “block-party”.
The royal couple, who will begin their visit with a private tea hosted by the president and first lady, will also commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks that brought down New York’s Twin Towers.
Mr Jones told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips on Sky News Sir Keir Starmer had been in touch with the White House: “These are remarkable scenes. The Prime Minister has, this morning, sent a message to the president of the United States in solidarity for the events that took place.
“As you would imagine, with the visit of His Majesty the King this week, our teams are working closely to ensure that security arrangements are put appropriately in place.”
Asked if there are any extra concerns for the King’s safety during the state visit that begins on Monday, Mr Jones said: “As you would imagine, the Government and the Palace take the security of His Majesty very seriously, and there were already extensive discussions taking place, which will continue over the coming days.”
I am shocked by the scenes at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington overnight.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) April 26, 2026
Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
It is a huge relief that @POTUS, the First Lady and all those…
Sir Keir said he was “shocked” by the incident overnight.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister said: “Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
“It is a huge relief that @POTUS, the First Lady and all those attending are safe.”
The prime minister later spoke to the US president and extended his best wishes while wishing a speedy recovery to the injured officer.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the incident was “an attack on democracy”.
