Ed Davey, the leader of the United Kingdom's Liberal Democrats, is calling on King Charles III to postpone his planned state visit to the United States, citing President Trump's approach to Iran.
Davey wrote Sunday on the social media platform X that U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer 'should advise the King to call off April's state visit' to the United States. The state visit, which would mark King Charles's first trip to the U.S. since his coronation, was scheduled for later this spring.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative voices have pushed back against Davey's proposal, arguing that state visits are diplomatic tools that should remain above partisan political disputes. Senior Conservative MPs have noted that the U.S.-U.K. alliance is foundational to British foreign policy and should not be disrupted by disagreements over any single issue.
Defenders of the visit argue that diplomatic engagement is more effective than isolation, and that cancelling a royal visit would damage the special relationship between the two countries. Some Tory commentators have accused Davey of grandstanding, noting that Liberal Democrats hold only a small number of seats in Parliament.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive and internationalist voices in the U.K. have echoed Davey's concerns, arguing that the British government should signal disapproval of U.S. policy toward Iran through diplomatic means. Liberal Democrat supporters have praised Davey for using his platform to hold the government accountable on foreign policy decisions.
Some Labour backbenchers have also expressed reservations about the timing of the visit, though Prime Minister Starmer has not publicly addressed Davey's call. Critics argue that proceeding with a state visit while the U.S. pursues military action in Iran could be seen as endorsement of American foreign policy.
What the Numbers Show
The planned state visit was announced earlier this year as part of efforts to strengthen U.S.-U.K. ties under the new Trump administration. King Charles had previously met with President Trump at Buckingham Palace in 2024. The visit was expected to include a state dinner at the White House and engagements in Washington, D.C.
The Liberal Democrats hold 72 seats in the House of Commons out of 650, making them the fourth-largest party in Parliament. Ed Davey has led the Liberal Democrats since 2024.
The Bottom Line
The question of whether to proceed with King Charles's state visit now hinges on how the Starmer government navigates tensions between maintaining the U.S. alliance and expressing disapproval of American military action in Iran. Davey's call reflects broader debates within the U.K. about the country's role in supporting or distancing itself from U.S. foreign policy decisions. The government has not yet indicated whether it will reconsider the visit timing, and the final decision rests with the royal household in consultation with the prime minister.