Donald Trump has said King Charles III will “be very safe” during his state visit to the US, which is due to began on Monday.
Further security talks took place between the White House and Buckingham Palace after a gunman gained access to an event attended by Trump in Washington DC on Saturday.
Asked about the security implications for the royal visit, the US president told CBS’ 60 Minutes on Sunday that the grounds of the White House, where King Charles will visit, are “really safe”.
The King and Queen’s programme will go ahead largely as planned, Buckingham Palace said, with the UK government hoping it could ease diplomatic tensions.
The UK’s ambassador to the US, Sir Christian Turner, said the visit would be about “renewing and revitalising a unique friendship” between the two countries.
He said Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had spoken to Trump on Sunday, and the trip would proceed largely as expected.
The King and Queen privately reached out to the Trumps to give their sympathies after the attack, during which a Secret Service agent was lightly injured and the president and his wife were rushed to safety.
The four-day state visit will begin in Washington DC, with the King and Queen being greeted at the White House by Trump and the First Lady Melania Trump.
The president said on Sunday: “I think it’s great, he’ll be very safe… the White House grounds are really safe. This area of not very many acres is really safe.
“And he’ll be staying here, I believe he’s going to a couple of other locations because he’s here for a few days.
“He’s a great guy. They called him and they are so looking forward to being here. We spoke this morning.”
Credit: bbc.com
