King Charles and Queen Camilla will visit the United States as planned despite the chaos at a dinner attended by President Donald Trump on Saturday night, Buckingham Palace has confirmed. The disruption occurred at the Washington Hilton when a gunman opened fire at a security checkpoint during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, wounding a Secret Service agent before being apprehended. A suspect has been identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen.
A palace spokesperson said: “‘Following discussions on both sides of the Atlantic through the day, and acting on advice of Government, we can confirm the State Visit by Their Majesties will proceed as planned. 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.”
There will be some minor adjustments to a couple of engagements, but the overall plan remains as previously guided.
The shooting sent guests diving under tables as the President and First Lady were rushed to safety, marking the third major security breach involving Mr Trump since 2024
This latest incident follows the high-profile assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Mr Trump’s ear was grazed by a bullet, and a subsequent attempt at his West Palm Beach golf course.
The persistent threat level has placed enormous pressure on the Secret Service just as they prepare for the logistical complexities of a royal state visit.
Compounding the tension is a recent surge in diplomatic friction between Washington and London.
Mr Trump has been uncharacteristically antagonistic toward the UK lately, threatening to renege on a crucial trade agreement and publicly criticising Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government.
Mr Trump has specifically slammed Britain’s lack of support regarding the conflict in the Middle East, telling the UK to “get your own oil” and questioning the strength of the “Special Relationship.”
Despite this rhetorical hostility and the weekend’s violence, the Palace remains determined to proceed, viewing the visit as a necessary stabilising force.
The King is expected to use the four-day trip to bridge these political divides, even as the US capital remains on high alert following the weekend’s bloodshed.
A subdued Mr Trump told reporters in a hastily-organised news conference at the White House late on Saturday: “It’s always shocking when something like this happens. Happened to me, a little bit. And that never changes.”
Mr Trump said he himself was undoubtedly the target. The presidency is “a dangerous profession,” he said, noting that violence associated with politics had escalated in the US and around the world. He added: ”No country is immune.”
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.express.co.uk ’
