LONDON, April 26 - Britain’s government said it is working closely with United States security services in the run-up to King Charles’ visit to the United States, a senior minister stated on Sunday. The comments came after a shooting near the White House correspondents’ dinner in Washington that led to an abrupt evacuation of President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump.
According to reports, President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were rushed out of the dinner in Washington by Secret Service agents on Saturday night after a man opened fire on security personnel nearby. The incident has prompted intensified exchanges between security officials on both sides of the Atlantic as the royal visit approaches.
Darren Jones, chief secretary to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, told Sky News that both the British government and Buckingham Palace treat the protection of King Charles "very seriously", and that detailed discussions on security were already under way and would continue over the coming days.
"In respect of His Majesty’s visit to the United States next week ... our security services obviously remain in close cooperation in advance of that," Jones added.
King Charles and his wife, Camilla, are scheduled to arrive in the United States on Monday for a four-day trip. The programme for the visit includes a private meeting with President Trump and an address to Congress, an event described as marking 250 years since the U.S. declaration of independence from British rule.
The government’s public remarks underline the priority given to managing security for high-profile state engagements in the wake of a nearby shooting incident. Officials have emphasized that conversations between security agencies will continue through the days leading up to the visit.
While authorities have confirmed the immediate protective actions taken at the Washington event, further operational details of the bilateral security planning have not been disclosed publicly. The emphasis from British ministers has been on cooperation and continued planning rather than on operational specifics.
As the visit nears, officials on both sides remain engaged in operational and logistical coordination to ensure the safety of the royal party and to support the scheduled diplomatic activities.