A growing share of the British public believes that King Charles
III should not travel to the United States for an official visit
later this year, according to new polling that reflects unease over
the current political climate.
Research conducted by YouGov suggests that 46 per cent of adults
in Great Britain think the proposed state visit ought to be called
off. By contrast, 36 per cent believe the trip should proceed as
planned, while 18 per cent say they are unsure.
The survey, based on responses from more than 12,000 adults and
conducted on 9 March, comes as debate intensifies in Westminster
about the diplomatic wisdom of the visit amid strained relations
between London and Washington.
Pressure has been mounting on the government after Sir Ed Davey
urged the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, to advise the King not to
proceed with the journey. The Liberal Democrat leader has argued
that a visit during the current tensions with the United States
would be inappropriate.
The dispute centres on the escalating conflict involving Iran
and the role played by the United States under Donald Trump. Davey
has accused the American president of launching what he described
as an “illegal war” in the region and warned that a royal visit
would amount to a diplomatic boost for Washington at a sensitive
moment.
The King had been expected to travel to the United States in
April as part of events marking the 250th anniversary of American
independence, a milestone that both governments had hoped would
underline the enduring alliance between the two countries.
Relations have, however, become increasingly strained in recent
days. President Trump publicly criticised Starmer after Britain
initially declined to allow American forces to launch the first
wave of strikes against Iran from UK territory. The president
mocked the prime minister’s stance, suggesting he was “not Winston
Churchill”.
Downing Street later authorised the use of British facilities
for what officials described as defensive operations. The United
States has since relied on bases including RAF Fairford and Diego
Garcia to support efforts aimed at countering Iranian missile
threats. Four US bombers arrived at Fairford over the weekend as
part of those deployments.
Despite the public exchanges, diplomatic contact between the two
governments has continued. Starmer and Trump held a telephone
conversation lasting around 20 minutes on Sunday to discuss the
evolving situation in the Middle East and the cooperation between
their armed forces.
Downing Street said the prime minister also expressed
condolences after the deaths of six American servicemen, and both
leaders agreed to remain in close contact as the crisis
develops.
Starmer has defended his earlier reluctance to authorise the
initial strikes, suggesting that permitting them could have raised
questions about compliance with international law.
Meanwhile Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has stressed that
ministers will avoid inflammatory language as the situation
unfolds, insisting the government will focus on measured decisions
rather than escalating rhetoric.
