Call off King's US visit over Iran, urge Lib Dems

The Liberal Democrats want Sir Keir Starmer to prevent the King visiting the United States next month over Donald Trump's criticism of the British response on Iran.

The monarch and Queen Camilla are reported to be planning to meet the US president in a state visit at the end of April.

But Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said the visit should not go ahead, as it would hand a "huge diplomatic coup" to Trump during US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

The conflict has strained transatlantic ties, after Sir Keir initially refused to allow American planes to use British bases to launch bombing raids on the country.

The UK has since authorised the US to use its bases to launch "defensive" strikes on missile sites in Iran used to launch retaliatory attacks, whilst RAF planes have also been sent to intercept Iranian drones and missiles.

But it has prompted criticism from the US president, who branded Sir Keir "no Winston Churchill" last week, and accused him on Saturday of wanting to "join wars after we've already won".

The two leaders spoke on Sunday for the first time since the row escalated, although Downing Street has released only limited details of the call.

Sir Keir sought to play down the rift on Monday, adding that American and British security officials were "working together every single day, as they always have".

He continued to defend his response to the conflict, insisting he was acting in accordance with "our principles" and "Britain's best interests".

Although a visit has not been officially confirmed, the King and Queen are expected to make a state visit to the US towards the end of next month, ahead of the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence in July.

But in a statement, Sir Ed said he wanted the prime minister to advise the monarch that the trip "should be called off".

"At a time when Trump has launched an illegal war that is devastating the Middle East and pushing up energy bills for British families, it's clear this visit should not go ahead," the Lib Dem leader added.

"A state visit from our King would be seen as yet another huge diplomatic coup for President Trump, so it should not be given to someone who repeatedly insults and damages our country."

Asked about the Lib Dems' call, cabinet minister Steve Reed said: "I don't think it is for Ed Davey to decide what the King should or should not be doing."

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the trip should not be turned into a "political event".

She renewed her calls for Sir Keir to authorise the RAF to join "defensive" strikes on Iranian missile sites, accusing the prime minister of being "too slow to protect our bases".

One Labour MP said the prime minister would "almost certainly" come under more pressure from the party's MPs to cancel the King's visit as the date approaches.

They said that MPs facing strong challenges from the Greens at May's local elections in England were especially concerned about the perception that the government is not tough enough on President Trump.

Invitations from other countries for the monarch to make "outbound" state visits abroad are made via the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), which is responsible for arranging visits in the UK.

Foreign leaders are formally invited to visit the UK by the monarch, after a recommendation by the prime minister.

They are diplomatic as well as ceremonial events, and the government committee that arranges them contains officials from the trade department as well as Downing Street, the Cabinet Office and the FCDO.

Since succeeding to the throne in 2022, King Charles III has made state visits to Germany, France, Kenya and Italy, as well as Australia and Samoa to attend a meeting of Commonwealth heads of government.

He also made a state visit to the Vatican last autumn, making history by becoming the first head of the Church of England to pray publicly with the Pope.

Trump made a second state visit to the UK last September, in a break with the usual practice for second-term US presidents, who have traditionally been invited for tea or lunch with the monarch at Windsor Castle instead.