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The United Kingdom’s Buckingham Palace confirmed on Sunday that King Charles III’s state visit to the United States will go ahead as planned, just hours after a shooting at a Washington dinner attended by President Donald Trump.
The late Saturday attack at the White House Correspondents’ Association annual gala unfolded less than 48 hours before the British monarch and Queen Camilla are due to begin a four-day trip to Washington and New York.
Palace officials said Charles was “greatly relieved” that Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and other guests escaped unharmed. After consultations on both sides of the Atlantic, the palace announced the visit would proceed.
“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,” the palace said in a statement.
Darren Jones, a senior UK government minister, told British broadcasters that security teams from both nations were working closely together.
Officials on both sides have been reviewing security arrangements for the royal visit.
The king and queen have also reached out privately to the Trumps, expressing sympathy for those affected by Saturday night’s violence and thanking security personnel who prevented further casualties, palace sources said.
Trump said one law enforcement officer was shot at close range but appeared not to be critically injured. The suspected attacker has been identified and is facing charges.
The state visit is designed to celebrate the long-standing relationship between Britain and the United States as America marks 250 years of independence.
Charles is set to become the first British monarch to address the US Congress since his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, in 1991. The royal couple will also join Trump and the first lady for tea and attend a state dinner.
