A senior Labour member of Parliament has suggested it may be safer to delay the King’s planned state visit to the United States next month because of the ongoing war in the Middle East. The visit, expected to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence, has not yet been formally announced but is anticipated to include engagements in Washington and New York.

Tensions have risen after President Donald Trump sharply criticized the United Kingdom’s approach to the conflict with Iran and personally attacked Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Dame Emily Thornberry, who chairs the Foreign Affairs select committee, warned that proceeding with the այց could risk embarrassing the King and Queen given the backdrop of war. She said the programme should be carefully reconsidered and possibly limited or postponed.

Buckingham Palace indicated that state visits are arranged on government advice. A recent poll found that nearly half of Britons believe the King should cancel the trip this year. However, royal author Robert Hardman argued that postponing the visit could create greater difficulties, noting the symbolic importance of the anniversary and the monarchy’s role in supporting long term relations between the two countries.