King and Queen’s royal US state visit starts today: live updates

The visit is the most important foreign trip of the King’s reign so far but now has the added element of increased security concerns.

It comes at a pivotal moment for the UK and US, with relations between Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer 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 – at one point describing him as ‘not Winston Churchill’.

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.

There will be hope in Downing Street that Charles and Camilla can help put the UK-US 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.’

While much of the King’s itinerary in Washington will take place within the secure confines of the White House – where the couple are staying at Blair House, the president’s historic guest house – and Congress, the visits to New York and Virginia involve much more public aspects.

The Mail understands that at least one tentative ‘meet and greet moment’ may now be scrapped – although some believe the King may yet ask for it to go ahead, subject to security advice, as a sign of solidarity with the people of the US.

A source said: ‘There has been a close ‘scrub’ of operational details around some of the elements [of the programme]. It’s a case of keep calm and carry on.’

The King and Queen ‘are very resilient individuals and they will do their duty’, an insider said.

In a statement on Sunday Buckingham Palace 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 underway tomorrow.’

Suspected gunman, identified by authorities as Cole Allen, 31, of Torrance, California reportedly charged a security checkpoint armed with a shotgun, a handgun and several knives at the White House Correspondent’s Dinner on Saturday.

Allen was tackled by agents after a brief but terrifying exchange of gunfire in the hotel lobby.

One Secret Service agent was shot but was wearing a bulletproof vest and escaped without serious injury. As many as eight shots were fired during the incident.

Despite the quick reaction of security services, Allen had managed to come within 100 yards of President Trump as well as dozens of key officials.

Mr Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and Vice President JD Vance were hurried off the ballroom stage after the gunman exchanged fire with Secret Service agents.

Authorities said Allen, a Democrat-supporting, 31-year-old teacher had checked in as a guest at the hotel.

He is reported to have told officers he wanted to shoot officials in the Trump administration.

King Charles has vowed to persevere with his State Visit to the US today despite an apparent assassination attempt on the President.

Sources told the Daily Mail the monarch is determined to ‘keep calm and carry on’ – and that if the Government wants him to travel, ‘that’s exactly what he will do’.

On Sunday, Buckingham Palace confirmed the King and Queen Camilla wanted to ‘do their duty’ – they are expected to arrive as planned on Monday afternoon.

However, an urgent security review was under way in light of the dramatic incident in the US capital on Saturday and some ‘modest operational adjustments’ will be made to ‘a few elements’ of Their Majesties’ programme.

Thanks for joining us as we follow along live to the King’s State Visit to the US.