Britain's King Charles heads to the United States on Monday (April 27) for the most high-profile trip of his reign so far, on a mission to shore up the future of the two allies' "special relationship" which the Iran war has plunged to its lowest point in 70 years.

The state visit marks the 250th anniversary of the U.S. declaration of independence from British rule, when the then 13 American colonies decided to split from King George III, Charles's five-times-great-grandfather.

For Charles, it will be a moment to reflect on how Britain and the United States have come together since then to forge some of the world's closest security, military and economic ties, while for U.S. President Donald Trump it will be another chance to indulge his love of the British royals.

It also comes against the backdrop of the worst relations between the two countries since the Suez Crisis in 1956, with repeated criticism by Trump of Prime Minister Keir Starmer over his refusal to join the attack on Iran and dismissive remarks about Britain's military capabilities.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

WINDSOR, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (ARCHIVE - SEPTEMBER 17, 2025) (UK POOL – Broadcast: No use UK. Digital: No use UK, except UK newspapers)

1. U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SPEAKING TO BRITAIN'S KING CHARLES WITH PRINCE WILLIAM LISTENING, FIRST LADY MELANIA, SPEAKING TO PRINCESS KATE AND QUEEN CAMILLA BEFORE THE ROYAL PROCESSION

2. VARIOUS OF HORSES AND CARRIAGE CARRYING TRUMP AND CHARLES

WINDSOR, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (ARCHIVE - SEPTEMBER 17, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

3. VARIOUS OF TRUMP, MELANIA, CHARLES AND BRITAIN'S QUEEN CAMILLA STANDING DURING UNITED STATES NATIONAL ANTHEM, CEREMONY

4.VARIOUS OF TRUMP INSPECTING GUARD OF HONOUR

5. KING CHARLES AND TRUMP WALKING

LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (ARCHIVE - JUNE, 2019) (UK POOL - No use UK, except UK newspapers)

6. TRUMP AND BRITAIN'S QUEEN ELIZABETH II WALKING

7. TRUMP AND QUEEN ELIZABETH STANDING DURING U.S. NATIONAL ANTHEM

8. VARIOUS OF TRUMP INSPECTING HONOUR GUARD OF QUEEN'S GUARDS

9. HONOUR GUARD

10. TRUMP SPEAKING TO QUEEN ELIZABETH

WASHINGTON D.C, UNITED STATES (ARCHIVE - MAY 7, 2007) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (POOL - Access all)

11. QUEEN ELIZABETH AND THEN U.S. PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH WALKING ON THE WHITE HOUSE SOUTH LAWN

12. (SOUNDBITE) (English) THEN U.S. PRESIDENT, GEORGE W. BUSH, SAYING:

"The American people are glad to welcome your majesty back to the United States, a nation you have come to know very well. After all, you have dined with ten U.S. presidents. You helped our nation celebrate its bicentennial in 1776 (laughter) in 1976. [BUSH PAUSES AND LOOKS BACK TO QUEEN ELIZABETH] She gave me a look that only a mother could give a child."

WASHINGTON DC, UNITED STATES (ARCHIVE - MAY 16, 1991) (ROYAL POOL - No use UK)

13. VARIOUS OF CONGRESSMEN APPLAUDING AS BRITAIN'S QUEEN ELIZABETH II ENTERS CONGRESS

14. BRITAIN'S QUEEN ELIZABETH II SPEAKING

15. QUEEN ELIZABETH SEATED AT TABLE