Buckingham Palace Confirms King Charles III’s US State Visit Proceeds After Security Incident

Buckingham Palace announced on Sunday, April 26, 2026, that King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s four-day state visit to the United States will proceed as planned, following a shooting incident at a Washington media gala the previous evening.

The incident occurred late Saturday at the annual dinner of the White House Correspondents’ Association, less than 48 hours before the royal couple’s scheduled arrival for the visit.

According to Buckingham Palace, King Charles was “greatly relieved” to learn that former President Donald Trump, his wife Melania, and other guests were unharmed in the shooting. The Palace stated that the King and Queen reached out privately to the Trumps to express their sympathies and gratitude to the security services who prevented further injury.

Senior UK minister Darren Jones confirmed that security teams in Britain and the United States were working closely to ensure appropriate security arrangements for the state visit.

The state visit, organized to honor the historic relationship between Britain and the United States as America marks 250 years of independence, will include stops in Washington and New York over four days.

Buckingham Palace emphasized that the visit would go ahead as planned, with the King and Queen looking forward to the visit getting underway.

Visit Details and Significance

The state visit underscores the enduring diplomatic ties between the United Kingdom and the United States, coinciding with the United States’ semiquincentennial anniversary of independence.

This marks King Charles III’s continued engagement in strengthening transatlantic relations through high-level diplomatic engagements.

Security Coordination

Buckingham Palace noted that discussions with U.S. Officials had taken place regarding security arrangements, confirming that the visit would proceed after these consultations.

The Palace highlighted the coordination between British and American security services to ensure the safety of the royal party and attendees throughout the visit.