President Donald Trump revealed that British monarch King Charles III will still soon be visiting Washington despite differences between the two nations on the Iran war.
The commander in chief remarked on the planned visit Monday while delivering remarks about the White House’s East Wing, which has been demolished to build a presidential ballroom.
Trump mused about how the ballroom – set to be finished by summer 2028 – will serve as a more suitable formal meeting venue for world leaders than the White House can currently provide.
Trump has fumed repeatedly that the White House is only equipped to host large gatherings outside, meaning party guests are open to the elements.
‘And you know the land in Washington was built on a swampy wetland,’ Trump noted.
‘And when it rains, and you have the King of Saudi Arabia … the King of the UK, I would say King of England, a great guy, he’s coming in very soon. And when it rains, you know what happened? And the rain would go over their feet.’
King Charles III had been scheduled to visit the US during the last week of April, on the 28th, according to reports.
The condensed visit is expected to span three days, reflecting the 77-year-old monarch’s health and physical limitations – mirroring the abbreviated trip Trump made to the UK last year, according to a source who spoke to The Times late last month.
President Donald Trump noted how the UK’s King Charles III will be visiting the US soon on Monday
Trump and the King last met in September 2025 when the US President visited England. Trump’s state visit lasted three days and the King’s visit is expected to last the same duration
The war in Iran has caused US-UK tensions to boil. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer initially denied US requests to use British bases for its war on Iran before allowing American forces to stage on UK instillations for ‘defensive’ missions
The King’s appearance comes at a tense time between the US and UK as the Iran war has strained the country’s special relationship.
Some UK officials and residents have called on the King to cancel the visit due to the war.
It’s been reported that the US did not inform its UK counterparts about the impending strike on Iran.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stirred controversy within the West Wing when he initially denied the US’s request to use British bases, including RAF Fairford and the military island Diego Garcia, for offensive strikes on Iran.
Later, Starmer changed his tune, announcing that the US could host its soldiers on UK bases for ‘defensive’ purposes.
In response Trump criticized Starmer and quipped how the ‘special relationship’ coined by Winston Churchill over 80 years ago is not ‘like it used to be.’
The President again complained about Starmer’s reluctance to assist the US militarily.
‘I told him, we requested two aircraft carriers which they had and he didn’t really want to do it … I was not happy with the UK … they should be involved enthusiastically,’ Trump said Monday.
