The King and Queen’s state visit to the US will go ahead with slight adjustments following an apparent assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
The visit will go ahead as planned, with some small adjustments to their programme following advice from security services.
Buckingham Palace, the White House and No 10 spent Sunday discussing whether the programme would need to be changed, with input from security services and royal protection.
The King and Queen act on official advice, but are understood to have wanted to continue with the itinerary as far as possible. Mr Trump called the King “brave” for going ahead with the visit.
The precise details of changes will not be confirmed, as per long-standing custom for all royal security matters, but are said to be so small that the public will not notice any changes to the itinerary.
In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: “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.
“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 under way tomorrow.”
Christian Turner, the new British ambassador to the United States, confirmed in person that the visit would go ahead, adding: “Keep calm and carry on.”
King ‘greatly relieved’
Current plans involve the King and Queen landing in Washington for the four-day visit barely 24 hours after a gunman opened fire at the annual White House correspondents’ dinner.
The King was said to be “greatly relieved” that Mr Trump, his wife Melania and other guests were unharmed during the confrontation and that he was being “kept fully informed of developments”.
The King and Queen are believed to have reached out privately to the president and first lady to convey their sympathies.
The state visit, arranged to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence, was set to involve the King visiting New York and Washington, and delivering an address to Congress.
The royal couple, who will begin the trip on Monday with a private tea at the White House, are also set to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Earlier on Sunday, it was revealed that “extensive discussions” were being held to ensure the King’s security throughout the visit.
Darren Jones, the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, told Sky News: “Our teams are working closely to ensure that security arrangements are put appropriately in place.”
The gunman, reportedly targeting Trump administration officials, came within 100 yards of the US president on Saturday evening before secret service agents tackled him to the ground.
It will raise further questions about the security of the president, who survived two assassination attempts in the run-up to the 2024 presidential election.
The attacker, identified as teacher Cole Allen, 31, from Torrance, California, reportedly sent a manifesto to his family around 10 minutes before he opened fire. He mocked the security at the event and said: “What the hell is the Secret Service doing?”
One officer was “struck in his vest” as gunfire was exchanged outside the ballroom of the hotel, but Mr Trump said the agent was “in great shape”.
Allen also said Iranian assassins could have turned up with a machine gun to the event and “no one would have noticed s—”, it was revealed.
The suspect, who is believed to have been a guest, called himself a “friendly federal assassin” and revealed that he intended to target US administration officials over their ties to Jeffrey Epstein, the Iran war and immigration policies.
Seemingly referring to Mr Trump, he wrote: “I am no longer willing to permit a paedophile, rapist and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes.”
Officials said that Allen had no criminal record and was not on the radar of law enforcement. Police searched his home in a Los Angeles suburb on Sunday morning as helicopters circled overhead.
Police said the shooter’s motive remained unclear. Asked about it on Sunday, Mr Trump said the attacker was a “very troubled guy” who “hates Christians”.
‘A sick guy’
The president told Fox News on Sunday: “The guy was a sick guy when you read his manifesto. It was a religious thing. It was strongly anti-Christian.”
Investigators said the suspect checked into the Washington Hilton hotel a day or two before the event.
The incident on Saturday has raised fresh questions about the safety of Mr Trump, who has survived previous assassination attempts, and other top US officials.
The gunman got past two security checkpoints at the venue before he was brought down.
He was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives, according to police.
An investigation into the attempted shooting will probably focus on how the suspect was able to smuggle a shotgun into the hotel.
Attendees noted that a magnetometer had been placed outside the ballroom, but that there was no screening when entering the hotel itself.