King not meeting Epstein survivors, but state visit could help ease US-UK tensions

There will not be a meeting between the King and Queen and survivors of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during the state visit to the US later this month, a Buckingham Palace source has confirmed.

But it is expected that Queen Camilla will meet representatives of groups campaigning against domestic abuse and violence against women at some of the events during the visit, which takes place on 27 to 30 April.

The King will be heading towards some choppy diplomatic waters given the strained relationship between the UK and US, including over Iran war-related disputes.

But Palace sources say the King can play a unique role in supporting a UK and US partnership that has "survived many presidencies and of course many reigns".

A Foreign Office spokeswoman also highlighted how the King's visit could help strengthen the relationship and protect its long-term benefits.

"So yes, we are close allies, we do disagree on things, but that doesn't detract from the value that both sides get from this relationship and have done over many decades," she said.

In the wake of the Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor scandal, there have been growing calls for the royal visitors to meet Epstein's victims, including from US Congressman Ro Khanna, Epstein survivor Lisa Phillips and the family of the late Virginia Giuffre.

This will not be possible, according to Palace sources, who argue it could jeopardise legal proceedings and stop justice for victims.

The source said: "We fully understand and appreciate the survivors' position, but can only reiterate that our position is clear that anything that could potentially impact on ongoing police inquiries and assessments, and any potential legal action that could result from that, would be to the detriment of the survivors themselves in their pursuit of justice."

Queen Camilla has been a longstanding campaigner on domestic abuse, and a recent speech was seen as containing thinly-veiled references to Epstein's victims.

"To every survivor of every kind of violence, many of whom have not been able to tell their stories or who have not been believed, please know that you are not alone," the Queen told a reception at St James's Palace.

State visits are carried out by the monarch on behalf of the UK government.

The Foreign Office says this trip will mark the 250th anniversary of US independence, and will celebrate a partnership of "shared prosperity, security and history".

Trump has always spoken highly of the royals, and he previously said on social media that he would "look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect. It will be TERRIFIC!"

But the visit comes at a time of unusually tense relations, with Trump throwing barbed comments towards Sir Keir Starmer in disagreements over the Iran war.

The itinerary for the visit suggests there will be few opportunities for the media to hear the King and the US President talking to each other off-script, away from set-piece speeches.

There are marked differences in the characters and attitudes of Trump and King Charles, which might need to be put aside during the visit.

Sir Keir has publicly acknowledged recent tensions between Downing Street and the White House.

"Mature alliances are not about pretending differences don't exist; they are about addressing them directly, respectfully, and with a focus on results," he said earlier this year, over US tariffs and threats to Greenland.

Other details about the state visit released on Tuesday include:

• The King and Queen will arrive in Washington DC, where over two days they will have a tea party, a garden party and a ceremonial military review. The King and Trump will hold a private meeting and the president will host a state dinner at the White House
• Also while in DC, the King will address Congress, a moment which will be the diplomatic highlight of the visit
• In New York, engagements will include visits to the 9/11 memorial, where the King and Queen will meet first responders, a community project in Harlem, a literacy event reflecting on Winnie the Pooh's centenary, a business event and a glitzy reception
• In Virginia, the King, who is an enthusiastic environmental campaigner, will visit a national park and encounter some Appalachian culture, meeting indigenous people. There will be a community party celebrating the 250th anniversary of independence

After leaving the US, the King will pay a visit to Bermuda, before returning to the UK.

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