King Charles set to break long-standing record set by Queen Elizabeth II

Ben McCaffrey
Mon, 27 Apr 2026 15:18:31 +0000

King Charles is expected to break a longstanding record set by Queen Elizabeth II during his State Visit to the US this week.

Following an attempt on the President's life at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington DC over the weekend, the King is said to have altered his Congress speech to mention the incident.

One federal agent was injured in the attack and has since been discharged from hospital.

Federal charges are expected to be formally brought against suspect Cole Tomas Allen today, according to District of Columbia Attorney Jeanine Pirro.

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Buckingham Palace confirmed on Sunday that the visit would proceed as scheduled, albeit with enhanced security measures and minor adjustments to the programme.

The incident saw Secret Service agents rush President Trump, First Lady Melania, and senior officials to safety.

Despite initial uncertainty surrounding the trip, there are no plans to scale back the ceremonial elements of this landmark royal visit.

The King is said to have personally worked on his Congress speech incessantly and, according to Politico, could speak for up to 30 minutes - far surpassing the 12-minute speech performed by Queen Elizabeth all the way back in 1991.

"You can say a lot in 30 minutes in Congress," one anonymous source told the outlet.

Initial reports had suggested the King would speak for around 20 minutes, though insiders now indicate the duration will be considerably greater.

But while he is expected to directly address the shooting, other messages are expected to be delivered subliminally through the speech.

The trip comes, both UK and US officials have stressed, as a celebration for the US's 250th anniversary since its Declaration of Independence.

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President Trump and the First Lady will welcome Charles and Camilla in a private meeting on Monday, followed by a garden reception at the British ambassador's residence.

The evening will bring full ceremonial proceedings, including a formal White House welcome and military review.

Tuesday holds greater diplomatic significance, with a bilateral meeting between the President and the King while Melania Trump hosts Queen Camilla separately.

Following the state dinner, the royals will pay tribute at Arlington National Cemetery before travelling onwards, acknowledging the enduring military alliance between both nations.

But, given the tumultuous relationship with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, political topics will undoubtedly be brought to the table.

The President himself admitted last week that "everything" will be discussed - including the conflict in Iran and Nato.

One person familiar with the King's preparations told Politico: "There is a feeling that the king can probably advance maybe one issue, so the question is what that issue will be."

The Ukraine-Russia war is said to be "the thing the King really cares about."

"More than tech or the other elements of the relationship," the source added.

A U.S. official has maintained that repairing the special relationship would be "first and foremost" in people's minds.

Meanwhile, a former senior Downing Street figure also expressed hope that the visit might persuade the President to cease "setting these red lines for the prime minister" during impromptu late-night conversations with journalists.