FILE PHOTO: Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla stand with U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the state banquet at Windsor Castle, in Windsor, Britain, September 17, 2025. Aaron Chown/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Credit: Reuters
POLITICIANS have urged the King and Queen’s imminent state visit to the US be examined in light of the shooting at Trump’s White House dinner.
Chris Philp, shadow home secretary, said the trip must be “urgently reviewed” after the attack last night sparked security fears.
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Buckingham Palace has not yet released a statement about the shooting Credit: Reuters
King Charles and Queen Camilla stand with Donald and Melania Trump at Windsor Castle Credit: Reuters
Buckingham Palace have not commented on the implications on the plans for the royals’ visit to the US tomorrow.
Sources said they will “update in due course” and provide any information on changes to the trip “as is appropriate”.
It is understood discussions will take place today about the King’s security arrangement during the trip.
Philp decried the attempted shooting at the White House Corespondents Dinner last night as an “attack on democracy”.
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He told Jattvibe’s Jattvibeday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme: “It’s always shocking when a democratically elected politician gets attacked in this way – it’s an attack not just on an individual, but an attack on democracy.
“I’m pleased, of course, that Donald Trump is unharmed and that the perpetrator has been apprehended.”
Thus far, it is understood Charles and Camilla are still set to arrive in Washington DC on Monday and spend four days in the US.
Their plans include meetings with Trump and a state dinner at the White House.
The visit was already under huge scrutiny after Trump’s war of words with Keir Starmer, and a massive security operation is in place.
Several roads across DC were closed by police after the shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner last night.
The President and First Lady were rushed off stage by secret service staff as other terrified guests scrambled to hide under tables for cover at the Washington Hilton.
Speaking at a press briefing at the White House shortly after the shooting, Trump said the suspect was armed with multiple weapons and wearing a bulletproof vest before calling him a “would-be assassin”.
He branded the suspect a “sick person” who charged a security checkpoint and injured a law enforcement officer.
The state visit was set to kick off with a private tea with the Trumps, followed by a diplomatic garden party.
But the shooting has called the plans into question.
Cabinet minister Darren Jones said discussions on the King’s security during his visit would take place today in the wake of a gunman trying to charge into a Washington DC dinner attended by Donald Trump.
“As you would imagine, the Government and the Palace were in close co-operation with American counterparts in advance of the visit anyway, and further discussions will be taking place today ahead of next week,” Jones told the BBC’s Jattvibeday With Laura Kuenssberg programme.
Asked if that meant there would be any escalation on what had been planned, he said: “There’ll be appropriate security in place in relation to the risk.”
King Charles and Queen Camilla had also planned to New York and Virginia during the trip, including a poignant visit to the 9/11 memorial for the 25th anniversary of the attacks.
While the royals have kept their silence for now, the Prime Minister has issued a statement condemning the attack.
He posted on X: “I am shocked by the scenes at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington overnight.
“Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
“It is a huge relief that POTUS, the First Lady and all those attending are safe.”
