Independent readers have shared sharply divided views on whether the King should go ahead with his planned United States visit amid rising diplomatic tensions with Donald Trump.
The debate was sparked by calls, including from David Dimbleby, for the trip to be reconsidered following escalating tensions and criticism of the UK by the US president.
Buckingham Palace confirmed the state visit just as Trump stepped up criticism of the UK over its position on the US‑led war in Iran — publicly rebuking Britain for not supporting the conflict and warning that the United States “won’t be there to help you anymore.”
Many readers agreed that the trip should be cancelled, calling it an “embarrassment” that risks rewarding hostility and could put the King in an “impossible situation” if he is confronted with further insults. Some said proceeding makes the UK look like it is “crawling” to a president who has undermined the so-called “special relationship”.
However, others defended the visit, stressing the UK’s relationship is with the United States as a whole, not with any one leader. They said the King’s role is to rise above politics, maintain ties and help “calm the waters” during a tense period, even if it means he must “grin and bear it” for the good of the nation.
Here’s what you had to say:
Fears for the ‘special relationship’
'The visit, which will mark the 250th anniversary of American independence, will “celebrate the historic connections” between the UK and the US, officials said.'
The insults that have been flowing from Trump suggest it might also be the date when the final nails are hammered into the coffin of the much-touted 'special relationship', which is anything but special – unless you consider the UK being specially singled out in Trump tirades against those refusing to get involved in his war for insults, and Trump's declarations that the US will no longer come to the UK's aid if needed.
Why is the King being subjected to what could further embarrass not only the UK but put him in a position of having to reply to one of Trump's ignorant and uncontrolled attacks on the UK? No one should underestimate Trump's ego and belief in self that, in his opinion, gives him the right to say and do as he pleases.
Maintain ties beyond a temporary president
The King is right to go ahead. He is visiting the USA head of state, who won't be head of state forever. Our relationship is with the USA, irrespective of whichever temporary incumbent is or isn't behaving like a grown-up. This won't be an endorsement of Trump's bizarre approach to international relations; it's maintaining the relationship so that we can deal with whoever comes after.
Grin and bear it
President Trump is very annoyed, and we have to accept that Sir Keir has not handled the situation with the American president well this time.
Whether we like Mr Trump or not, or whether he is right or wrong, he is the president of the USA, a country on which we are dependent, and therefore we need to calm the waters.
The King has the potential and the opportunity to do that, given Mr Trump’s love for the Royal Family, including King Charles himself.
I think the visit should go ahead. The King has to grin and bear it for the good of the United Kingdom. The palaces, the Rolls-Royces, the pomp and privilege of royalty are not free.
Royal visit should stay above politics
I respect Dimbleby's opinion, but the King does not represent political situations, and his visit is to create a good opinion about Britain, and he is popular in America. He should not cancel his visit.
What will the King crawling to Trump achieve?
I am sure it will be argued that our relationship with America will continue after Trump has gone. This is, of course, true, but I have to ask what possible good can come from the visit. Since Trump was treated to his second state visit, he has done nothing but turn on the UK and, in that context, the visit was a waste of time.
We now have Trump saying that America will not be there for us if we need them. Well, that's fine as it is his choice, but what will the King crawling to Trump achieve? I used the word "crawling" because that is exactly how it will look. The King is supposed to serve the people of this country, and he should do so by making a stand against a man who has destroyed standards of honesty and decency. Once Trump has gone, nobody will remember a good thing about him, but they will remember our King prostrating himself at Trump's feet. The people of the UK do not want this visit, and the King should respect that.
An embarrassing visit for the King
David Dimbleby is correct, the King's visit to Trumpland is an embarrassment.
Not only because our King is everything that Trump is not but, amongst many other reasons, because Trump's attacks on the UK's military 'toys' include one of which was named after the late King's mother, the Queen, God rest her soul.
An impossible position
This will put the King in an absolutely impossible situation. Every time Trump makes an anti-British statement in his company, such as the UK armed forces being 'cowards' or condemns the government for not joining in his illegal war, Charles has only the option of remaining silent (and appearing to endorse or be neutral on what is said) or creating a diplomatic incident by replying robustly in terms which would defend the country of which he is head of state.
Any other President would understand the position of royals and respect this, but Trump has already shown that he will take precedence by walking in front of royals (as he did on his first visit with the Queen) and ignore totally the requirements for neutrality and the avoidance of inflammatory statements.
It will be putting our monarch, who is now a sick and elderly man, under considerable pressure and will probably lead to a far worse diplomatic situation and breach between the UK and the US.
Beyond embarrassing
Dimbleby is a friend of the King, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he was reflecting the King’s reaction. It’s beyond embarrassing that the visit was announced under an hour after Trump lashed out at the UK.
I can’t see any benefit in the visit going ahead. Trump won’t give the UK any favours, and appeasing him like this will disappoint two thirds of Americans who disapprove of Trump.
The late Queen would not have gone
His mother, the late Queen, would definitely not go because she had very little time or regard for Trump, and maybe he should think about that! As her "favourite" guests, it's the Obamas who were very friendly with the Royal Family, with Queen Elizabeth even reportedly asking if visits could be arranged for Barack Obama after he left office.
As Trump loathes Obama so much, it would tip him over the edge if this visit is cancelled.
Postponement isn’t enough
The majority in the poll say no, it should be postponed. I hesitated before signing that because I think "never" is a better option than postponement.
There is no point trying to flatter Trump. It's water off a duck's back. He will ignore you, and anything he ever promised you, and move on to the next thing.
We just have to treat him as toxic, and wait for a better and more sane leader to emerge.
Some of the comments have been edited for this article for brevity and clarity.
Want to share your views? Simply register your details below. Once registered, you can comment on the day’s top stories for a chance to be featured. Alternatively, click ‘log in’ or ‘register’ in the top right corner to sign in or sign up.
Make sure you adhere to our community guidelines, which can be found here. For a full guide on how to comment, click here.
As Trump lashes out at the UK, the King can pour oil on troubled waters
‘Age is just a number’: Readers on the realities of age-gap relationships
King Charles and Queen to visit US in April in first state visit for 20 years
Prince Harry ‘hopes King will invite Meghan and children to Sandringham this summer’
King ‘still set to visit US’ despite tensions between Starmer and Trump over Iran
Princess Eugenie steps down as patron of anti-slavery charity
