The visit

US, King Charles meets Trump: 'Let's renew our alliance'

King Charles III tried to mend the 'special relationship' between London and Washington with a ceremonial visit, a speech to Congress and a sheltered face-to-face with Donald Trump

from our correspondent Marco Valsania

28 April 2026

RE CARLO III, DONALD TRUMP PRESIDENTE USA VISITA DI RE CARLO A WASHINGTON 7146

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

NEW YORK - We may not always agree, but Britain and the United States "have always found ways to work together". What's more, they have forged an alliance "among the greatest in the history of mankind" that deserves "reconciliation and renewal" in tribute to the importance of what unites the two nations, the "defence of democratic values".

King Charles III tried to mend the 'special relationship' between London and Washington with a ceremonial visit, a speech to Congress and a sheltered face-to-face with Donald Trump.

Worn down if not torn apart by divisions over the Iran war and by more than a year of a Trump presidency under the banner of an aggressive and rancorous America First with allies, who have also been hit by tariffs and accusations of being cowards and parasites. The British PM Keir Starmer has now turned from favourite leader to hated one: 'He's no Churchill', Trump has repeatedly urged.

Carlo III e Camilla da Trump, la cerimonia alla Casa Bianca

It is not an easy mission for Charles. In a sign of acrimony, the visit coincided with a new diplomatic mini-sphere: uncomfortable revelations by the Financial Times about private statements by the new British ambassador to the US, Christian Turner. In February, speaking to students, he dismissed the 'special relationship' as a thing of the past, stating that Washington now has such a relationship 'probably only with Israel'. And he condemned the scant repercussions of theJeffrey Epstein scandal among American politicians.

The King's state visit, spread over four days, culminated on 28 April in the aftermath of his arrival on US soil and solemn ceremonial dominated. The meeting with Trump was strictly behind closed doors in the Oval Office (to avoid any risk of public rifts). And the 20-minute speech in front of the assembled parliament was notable first and foremost for the rarity of the event: the last British monarch to speak onCapol Hill was Charles's mother, Queen Elizabeth II in 1991.

Charles carefully calibrated his words, in his speech and elsewhere. To the Americans he sent a message of support for Nato and commitment to the protection of Ukraine, issues that are hot for Trump, contemptuous of the alliance and frustrated with Kiev. But he did so in high tones: the transatlantic alliance is rooted in 'generosity of spirit and a duty to promote compassion, foster peace, deepen mutual understanding, and value people of all faiths and even of no faith'.

Trump accoglie i reali inglesi alla Casa Bianca: "Mia madre aveva una cotta per Carlo"

Words facilitated by the coincidence of the visit with a historic US anniversary, the 250th year since independence.The protracted ceremonial contributed to the relaxed atmosphere. The King was accompanied byQueen Camilla, who chatted withfirst lady Melania.

He was greeted by a 21-gun salute and participated in the troop review ceremony, the highest diplomatic honour bestowed by the United States on foreign heads of state. Military planes took to the skies. In the evening Trump hosted a reception and dinner attended by politicians and celebrities from both countries.

The president, floundering in the polls at home and in the Iran conflict abroad, seemed in turn ready to leverage honours and pomp, traditionally dear to him, in search of polish and perhaps relief from controversy. He paid tribute to the British royals and the ties between the two peoples and countries. He nostalgically recalled that his mother was born in Scotland and 'loved the royal family', so much so that he had a soft spot for a young Charles. And stressed 'how before Americans had a nation or a constitution, they had a culture, a character, a creed. Before proclaiming independence, Americans brought with them the rarest gift, moral courage, which came from a small but mighty kingdom overseas'.

There was no lack of light banter: mentioning the drizzly weather, Trump exclaimed: 'Beautiful British day'. But the royal visit took place amid heightened security measures after the foiled assassination attempt on Trump last Saturday at the annual White House press dinner.

Marco ValsaniaGiornalista
- @ValsaniaM
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Luogo: New York, Usa
Lingue parlate: Italiano, Inglese
Argomenti: Economia, politica americana e internazionale, finanza, lavoro, tecnologia
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