King Charles is said to be taking a big risk with his plans to visit the United States, as the country remains embroiled in a conflict with Iran.
A Labor MP has urged the British monarch to reconsider his plans which could spark outrage among Britons.
Polly Billington, MP for East Thanet, expressed concern about the appearance of a royal appearance with Donald Trump at the moment, saying: “I think we have to think very carefully about how to implement things like a state visit. Because of the message it sends.”
in conversation with BBC Radio 4 Westminster Time, Billington said: “I think at the moment I don’t want to see anything that will embarrass the Monarch.”
Dame Emily Thornberry, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee, also warned against traveling to the United States at this time, previously indicating it would be “safer to delay” the trip.
Although not yet officially confirmed, the king and Queen Camilla are likely to fly to Washington and New York next month, timed to precede celebrations of the 250th anniversary of US independence.
However, Trump wants the British royals to fight for the United States, having declared last week that the monarch would visit him “very soon.”
The ongoing conflict, which has inflicted increasing economic pressure on Britain, could well continue even if they meet.
Relations between London and Washington appear increasingly strained, as Trump called Britain’s handling of the situation “terrible” and repeatedly attacked Sir Keir Starmer, at one point dismissing him as “not Winston Churchill.”
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has maintained that Britain will avoid being drawn into a “broader war”.
On the other hand, conservative leader Kemi Badenoch supported the state visit as planned.
“I think that makes sense and also reminds people that there are some people who are above this diplomatic dispute,” he said.
Nigel Farage, the UK’s reform leader, argued that current transatlantic tensions make the royal visit “even more imperative” and insisted it must go ahead.
A recent YouGov poll found that 46 percent of the British public believe the King should abandon the trip and remain in the country this year.
