King Charles is "looking forward" to welcoming President Donald Trump to the United Kingdom for an official state visit later this year, Buckingham Palace has said.
An official invitation, known as the Manu Regia, has been delivered to the White House signalling that official planning for the visit has begun.
"His Majesty has known President Trump for many years and looks forward to hosting him and the First Lady later this year," a Palace aide said.
Dates for the event have yet to be confirmed and will be announced when available.
King Charles is 'looking forward' to welcoming Donald Trump to his second State Visit.
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Logistical difficulties are said to have meant a more informal, private meeting between the monarch and the US President ahead of a State Visit was not possible.
The aide confirmed this reality is acknowledged and comfortably accepted by all parties involved.
Today; announcement follows a preliminary invitation given to President Trump in March by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on behalf of the King.
In that initial correspondence, Charles outlined ways in which a Visit, or Visits, may be arranged.
President Trump has been formally invited to an unprecedented second State Visit to the UK.
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However, the packed diaries of both the King and Trump have meant a private one on one over the summer could not be accommodated.
As such, the formal planning for the State Visit "later this year" in now in swing.
To official trigger for this was the hand delivered Manu Regia invitation from representatives at Britain's Washington embassy to the White House.
The letter is a hand-signed invitation from King Charles to President Trump.
Trump was hand delivered King Charles's first correspondence by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Febuary.
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The aide added that all possible avenues to accommodate the busy schedules of the King and the President were explored in the process.
They added that the King was regularly following the advice of the Government and that the two parties remained in concert and supportive during the process.
Today's announcement follows reports that Downing Street had brought forward the State Visit in an attempt to curry favour with the President.
King Charles was said to have preferred a more informal meeting beforehand to allow the frosty relations between the US and Canada, where he also serves as head of state, to thaw.
Trump proudly showed off the hand-signed letter from King Charles in the Oval Office.
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The first correspondence between Trump and the King delivered in person by Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a White House press conference in February.
Upon immediately reading the letter, Trump declared: "They're going to do a second fest… that's what it is: a fest, and it's beautiful, and it's the first time it's ever happened to one person.
“It's an honour… I'm a friend of Charles, I have great respect for King Charles and the family, William, we have really just a great respect for the family,” he continued.
The President added that: "I think they're setting a date for September."
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Trump enjoyed a State Visit in 2019 during his first term in office.
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A delighted Trump displayed the letter from Charles to gathered media.
During his first term, Trump was treated to a three-day State Visit with Queen Elizabeth in June 2019.
He enjoyed a plush state banquet, a private lunch with the monarch, and tea with then-Prince Charles.
He had previously been invited for tea at Windsor Castle during a separate trip to Britain in 2018.
Only former President's Barack Obama and George W. Bush were afforded official State Visits during Queen Elizabeth's 70-year reign.
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