on 26/3/2026, 19:19:27, in reply to "Re: The King's state visit to the U.S. - April 2026"
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Apparently the Dutch court is doing everything it can to avoid an embarrassing Oval Office moment for the KIng in front of the press... Our PM first encounter with the Don will likely also have some cringeworthy moments. He's the first openly gay PM in the Netherlands and I am sure that won't go unnoticed. Most Heads of Governments and Heads of State are weary of a visit and all are treated to this abuse. If you want (not many of those around) or have to visit Trump, you can expect him to behave obnoxious, rude, inappropriate and frankly insane. Charles might be his good friend but when he goes off script you can expect fireworks. Good Luck UK Foreign Office! Previous Message
You may be right on that, and I think it's also notable that no one seems to have made a state visit to the U.S. since the present WH occupant took over...just heads of govt. and presidents having to sit there and listen to various insults while trying to keep a straight face. As far as the King's visit, however, there are several factors that may affect the April timing...conflict in the ME, the unending stream of Epstein files, the still ongoing investigations of his untitled brother. Unpredictable still at this point. Previous Message
Through the years White House occupants have notoriously been lacking knowledge of protocol, let alone royal protocol. The stories about odd and embarrassing situations during state and official visits at home and abroad are limitless. Previous Message
The White House Chief of Protocol is supposed to oversee and arrange details as far as ceremony for a state visit. As you note however the current WH occupant will do as he pleases and when he pleases so no telling if even the basics will be observed. Q. Camilla already had some minimal interraction with M. Trump during the Trump state visit to the UK so she knows what to expect (or not) from the latter. Previous Message
The problem with Donny is that he changes his mind last minute and a lot can happen in between now and April. I am sure the courtiers will have a field day. And who knows Trump might consider Starmer his new BMF by that time.. I learned that the Dutch Royals will be staying at the White House during their visit. Not sure if that is a pleasure but I can t wait to see Melania and Maxima together... or Camilla and Melania for that matter. Not many topics for a meaningful conversation... Previous Message
I think the length of the stay has to be calculated based on both the health of the monarch in this case but still long enough to merit the visit at all after a trans-Atlantic roundtrip flight which is wearisome for most of us at the best of times. The visiting head of state usually stays at Blair House, official guest house in DC, so no worries about Mar-a-Lago. Fortunately the new Gold Balroom is far from complete, so the King won't have to endure that either. I think any trade deals are usually between two heads of government and not as in this case with one being only a head of state while PM Starmer is not currently on the best of terms with DJT. Previous Message
A shorter 3 day visit... Blimey. State Visits should be limited to 2 max 2,5 days in the first place. Fine if you want to start or finish the trip with a private tour of the country but these long official visits by Heads of State outside the Realm are antiquated. I know Donald loves to sign trade deals with his oversized signature to match his ego but that takes a an hour at most. There are so many economic missions on ministerial level anyway. Pity Donald's new Banqueting Hall aka Golden Dome is not yet finished I am sure it will be fit for a King I wonder how the court managed to kindly decline the offer of Donald for the King and Queen to stay at his Maffia Head Quarters at Mar a Lago.. The funniest thing is that Donnie actually thinks he's good friends with Charles while most people with a brain will suspect that Charles loathes the man and is a sublime actor. Previous Message
This state visit was scheduled some months ago to occur in April 2026, following initial state visit to the UK by the American president. According to this article - it will be a shorter 3-day visit version, with customary arrival into Washington but also presumably other events on the itinerary over those three days. Does anyone know what events or points of interest the King will include on the one-day visit up to New York? Or other side events and occasions will be part of his schedule during the time in the Washington area? There have been calls in the many days since this article appeared in The Times for the visit to be delayed or cancelled entirely but none of that has happened to this point and...it's only a month away at this point. The Times
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