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12-03-2026
LONDON: A planned visit by King Charles to the United States should be cancelled after President Donald Trump repeatedly insulted Britain, the leader of the country’s third-biggest party in parliament said on Monday.
Trump has repeatedly criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer after London initially blocked the US from using British bases to attack Iran, saying he was “not Winston Churchill” and that Starmer had helped to “ruin” the so-called Special Relationship between the two countries.
That followed Trump’s comments in January that European troops had stayed off the front lines in Afghanistan, drawing a rare rebuke from Starmer who described them as “frankly appalling” and insulting to the families of the 457 British service personnel who died in that war.
Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, said Starmer should avoid putting the king, Britain’s ceremonial head of state, in the center of a “highly political situation” with an April visit.
“A state visit from our king would be seen as yet another huge diplomatic coup for President Trump, so it should not be given to someone who repeatedly insults and damages our country,” Davey told LBC Radio, citing Trump’s recent comments and his “reckless” war in Iran.
In Britain, the government advises the monarch on his relations with foreign leaders. The Starmer government has not been slow to harness the soft power of the royal family to help smooth relations with Trump over the last year.
Charles hosted Trump for an unprecedented second state visit to Britain last September, treating him to a carriage ride and state banquet at Windsor Castle.
Heir-to-the-throne Prince William is also due to visit the US in the summer during the soccer World Cup.
Davey said that while it was clear Trump liked the royal family, he did not appear to treat Britain any better as a result, referring to his tariff policy.
Asked about Davey’s remarks, senior minister Steve Reed said the king did a remarkable job of representing Britain abroad and it was not for him or Davey to comment on the arrangements.
Buckingham Palace does not comment on official trips before they have been confirmed. Trump on Sunday, said on Saturday Britain was giving “serious thought” to sending two aircraft carriers to the Middle East, but added that the US does not need them to win the war with Iran, in the latest clash between the military allies.
Trump has repeatedly criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer suggesting this week that he helped “ruin” the countries’ historically close relationship after London blocked initial US use of British bases to attack Iran.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he “will remember” the lack of British support during the conflict with Iran.
“The United Kingdom, our once Great Ally, maybe the Greatest of them all, is finally giving serious thought to sending two aircraft carriers to the Middle East,” Trump said.
“That’s OK, Prime Minister Starmer, we don’t need them any longer but we will remember. We don’t need people that join Wars after we’ve already won!”
The social media post comes after Britain’s defence ministry said on Saturday it was preparing the Prince of Wales aircraft carrier for possible deployment but no final decision has been taken about whether to send it to the Middle East, a British official said.
Starmer has defended his decision not to allow US forces to use British bases to support initial strikes on Iran, saying he needed to be satisfied that any military action was legal and well planned. (Int’l Monitoring Desk)
