Security measures for the much-anticipated visit to the United States by King Charles III this week are in the spotlight following the shooting at a dinner attended by President Donald Trump.
Buckingham Palace said the four-day trip to the United States by King Charles and Queen Camilla would go ahead as planned following the security scare involving Trump.
“Following discussions on both sides of the Atlantic through the day, and acting on advice of government, we can confirm the state visit by their majesties will proceed as planned,” a palace spokesperson said.
“The king and queen are most grateful to all those who have worked at pace to ensure this remains the case and are looking forward to the visit getting underway tomorrow.”
Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche said he was “very confident” the royal couple would be safe during their visit. He said the incident showed how robust the American security measures were.
Senior British cabinet minister Darren Jones told Sky News UK there would be “appropriate security in place in relation to the risk”.
Security for the royal family and senior UK officials is provided by the Metropolitan Police’s Royalty and Specialist Protection (RaSP) Command.
According to the Metropolitan Police’s website, the RaSP is part of a wider unit that “integrates intelligence and operational tactics to mitigate risks that exceed standard frontline policing”.
The RaSP provides protection at the royal residences in London, Windsor and Scotland and close protection to the King.
Under existing protocol for royal overseas visits, UK close protection officers would liaise with local law enforcement.
In the case of the US, that would be the country’s Secret Service, charged with protecting the president.
Even before the shooting at the White House Foreign Correspondents’ dinner in Washington DC on Saturday, the king’s visit was shaping as the most important overseas trip of his reign.
Differences between the Trump administration and the UK government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the Iran war have seen relations between the close allies slump to their lowest for decades.
The monarch will hold a private meeting with the president and also deliver an address to Congress.
It offers the chance to deliver the message that long-term friendship is more important than transient disputes.
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