Trump plans invite King Charles to the United States after UK state visit

Donald Trump is planning to invite King Charles III to the United States after their two-day state visit to the United Kingdom, according to reports as the president flew back to Washington on Thursday aboard Air Force One. The trip featured days of pomp and ceremony, including a glittering state dinner at Windsor Castle, and a one-on-one meeting between the two leaders that was framed by both sides as a sign of a continuing, if transactional, alliance. A senior White House official told The Telegraph that Washington is weighing a royal visit as early as next year, part of a broader push to keep the United States and the United Kingdom closely aligned on security, energy, and global affairs. The official also signaled that the administration wants London to play a starring role in celebrations for the 250th anniversary of US independence in 2026.

During the visit, Trump praised the bond between the two nations and thanked his hosts for the hospitality. The White House described the Windsor meeting as a chance to reinforce a “special relationship” between the United States and the United Kingdom. Trump told reporters as he departed Windsor Castle that the trip had been a tribute to the long alliance, saying that he and Charles had formed a strong personal rapport and that he looked forward to future cooperation. The two men’s public appearances together underscored a willingness to present a united front on a range of issues, even as domestic political dynamics in both countries continued to unfold.

The White House has signaled that any royal visit would be part of a broader agenda to deepen ties with an ally that remains central to U.S. diplomacy and defense planning. In addition to a potential visit by Charles to the United States, officials have floated using the 2026 commemorations of American independence as a focal point for joint cultural and public diplomacy events, and for showcasing close collaboration across sectors from business to security. The Telegraph quoted the White House official as saying, in effect, that the British in London know how to stage such occasions and that they “set the bar high” for visits to see the United States.

Before departing, Trump thanked his hosts for the “spectacular honour” of the state visit and praised the couple’s role in hosting the events. He said: 'We’re grateful beyond words for the spectacular honour of the state visit yesterday at Windsor Castle, hosted by His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty, Queen Camilla. These are two fantastic people. We will never forget it.' The tone of the remarks reflected a White House effort to cast the visit in terms of enduring friendship rather than partisan theatrics, even as political tensions in both capitals persisted behind the scenes.

In parallel, Trump and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer discussed policy questions at Chequers, the prime minister’s country retreat, where the American president reiterated his stance on the recognition of Palestine. He told Starmer he disagreed with the plan to formally recognise a Palestinian state, insisting that the focus should be on pressing Hamas to release hostages taken in the attacks of October 7. 'I have a disagreement with the Prime Minister on that score,' Trump said bluntly. Starmer acknowledged that energy and security questions would continue to shape any future moves toward a two-state framework and emphasized that Hamas had to be excluded from any Palestinian state.

The exchange at Chequers came as European leaders grappling with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine faced their own debates over energy and security policy. Starmer noted that some European countries have yet to eliminate Russian oil and gas purchases entirely, a point Trump used to press allies to accelerate their moves away from Moscow’s energy supply. He urged European partners to reduce dependence on Russian energy, arguing that continued purchases undercut Western leverage over Russia on the battlefield and at the negotiating table.

The trip was not without disruptions. After meeting with the prime minister, Trump’s Marine One helicopter experienced a hydraulic issue and made an emergency landing at a UK airport. The presidential aircraft was brought to Stansted, but the president and first lady Melania Trump were evacuated to a nearby airfield and later rejoined by a second helicopter identified as Marine Two for the onward leg to Stansted. No injuries were reported, and the couple eventually boarded Air Force One for the return to the United States. White House officials described the incident as routine precautionary steps taken when a technical issue arose in flight operations. In a statement, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: 'Due to a minor hydraulic issue, and out of an abundance of caution, the pilots landed at a local airfield before reaching Stansted airport. The President and first lady safely boarded the support helicopter. The President and first lady were later able to board Air Force One for the return journey from the UK.'

As Trump returns to Washington, the White House’s framing of the trip emphasizes a continued push to fortify the alliance with the United Kingdom while signaling that London could play a key role in the United States’ planned 2026 anniversary celebrations. The reported invitation to King Charles to visit the United States would mark a new chapter in the evolving relationship between the two nations, one shaped by shared challenges from security threats to global governance and by a mutual interest in projecting a united front on the world stage.