King Charles and US President Donald Trump pictured in September. The palace has announced that the royal visit to the US will continue as scheduled. Photo / AFP
King Charles and US President Donald Trump pictured in September. The palace has announced that the royal visit to the US will continue as scheduled. Photo / AFP
The state visit by King Charles and Queen Camilla to the US will take place as planned following a shooting at a Washington media gala attended by President Donald Trump.
In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: “Following discussions on both sides of the Atlantic through the day, and acting onadvice of government, we can confirm the state visit by Their Majesties will proceed as planned.”
The palace added that Charles was “greatly relieved” that Trump, his wife Melania and other guests were unharmed
During the four-day state visit – organised to honour the historic relationship between Britain and the US as America marks 250 years of independence – Charles and Camilla are due to visit Washington and New York.
Trump was rushed from the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on Saturday night (local time) when a gunman armed with “multiple” weapons rushed the security checkpoint on the ground floor of the Hilton International Hotel.
Agents draw their guns after loud bangs were heard during the White House Correspondents' dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. Photo / AFP
President Donald Trump at his White House news conference after shots were fired at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Image / The White House
Officials identified the suspect as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California.
At a news conference at the White House, Trump described the shooter as a “lone wolf”, adding that he was “taken down by some very brave members of Secret Service, and they acted very quickly”.
Trump said one agent was hit by a bullet that was stopped by a ballistic vest.
The suspect, who officials said was not shot, was transported to Howard University Hospital.
Trump used the opportunity to say that the incident proved the need for the White House ballroom he has proposed building, saying it would be a more secure facility than the hotel where the dinner took place.
