A Labour backbencher is intensifying pressure on Buckingham Palace and Downing Street to reconsider King Charles’s forthcoming United States State Visit while the country remains embroiled in conflict with Iran.
Polly Billington, the MP for East Thanet, expressed concern about the optics of a royal appearance alongside Donald Trump during the US’s turbulent Middle Eastern military campaign.
“I do think we’ve got to think quite carefully about how we deploy things like a state visit. Because of the message it sends,” Ms Billington told BBC Radio 4’s Westminster Hour.
“I think at the moment I don’t want to see anything which embarrasses the Monarch.”
Labour backbencher outlines fear of ’embarrassing King Charles’ if US State Visit goes ahead
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GETTY / INSTAGRAM: POLLY BILLINGTON
Dame Emily Thornberry, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee, previously indicated it would be “safer to delay” the trip.
Though not yet officially confirmed, the King and Queen Camilla are anticipated to travel to Washington and New York next month, timed to precede America’s 250th independence anniversary celebrations.
The US President declared last week that the monarch would be visiting him “very shortly.”
However, the ongoing conflict, which has inflicted growing economic strain on Britain, may well continue when the royal couple arrives.
Queen Camilla, King Charles, Donald Trump and Melania Trump pictured in September 2025 | GETTY
Relations between London and Washington appear increasingly fraught, with Mr Trump having labelled Britain’s handling of the situation “terrible” and repeatedly attacked Sir Keir Starmer, at one point dismissing him as “not Winston Churchill.”
The Prime Minister has maintained Britain will avoid being pulled into a “wider war.”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has thrown her support behind the State Visit proceeding as planned.
“I do think that makes sense, and it also reminds people that there are some people who are above this diplomatic row,” she said.
Mr and Mrs Trump with Keir Starmer and his wife, Victoria Starmer | REUTERS
Ms Badenoch described the King as “a huge asset to our country” who is “very much loved,” adding that he embodies British history and tradition.
“I think the standards which both Keir Starmer and Donald Trump could actually learn from,” she remarked.
Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, argued that current transatlantic tensions make the royal visit “even more imperative” and insisted it must proceed.
A recent YouGov survey revealed that 46 per cent of the British public believe the King should abandon the trip and remain in the country this year.
Buckingham Palace has indicated the decision rests with ministers, noting that State Visits are conducted on Foreign Office advice.
The Royal Family’s diplomatic influence is considered a distinctive tool for engaging with the billionaire-turned-president, whose fondness for the monarchy is well documented.
Mr Trump received an unprecedented second state visit to Britain last year, the first time an American leader has been afforded such an honour twice.