Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party, has expressed sympathy for King Charles over his trip to meet President Donald Trump in the United States, placing responsibility for the visit squarely on the Prime Minister.
Speaking in Newcastle, Mr Polanski criticised the decision to send the monarch across the Atlantic.
"I actually feel really sorry for the King, that he's been paraded around as some sort of privilege for Donald Trump," he said.
The Green leader described the royal visit as an "awful parade" and questioned why Keir Starmer had arranged for the King to travel to America.
Green Party leader slams Keir Starmer for ‘parading’ monarch before Donald Trump
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Security concerns have intensified following what the White House described as an attempted assassination of the president, reigniting debate about whether the royal couple should proceed with the trip.
Mr Polanski urged perspective on the relationship with the American president, highlighting a recent social media post from Mr Trump.
"Just a couple of weeks ago, Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, his social media platform, 'An entire civilisation could be wiped out this evening, it doesn't have to happen, but it probably could'," he said.
The Green leader argued such rhetoric disqualified Trump from being considered a British ally.
Queen Camilla, King Charles, Donald Trump and Melania Trump pictured in September 2025 | GETTY"That's not a man we should consider our ally or in a special relationship with," Mr Polanski stated.
He called for sanctions against the president rather than diplomatic warmth, saying Mr Trump should be condemned rather than courted.
Mr Polanski directly challenged the Prime Minister's approach to the American leader.
"Why is Keir Starmer so obsequious to Donald Trump?" he asked.
Zack Polanski has been open about his anti-monarchist beliefs
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The Green Party leader acknowledged that maintaining diplomatic channels with Washington remained important, stating that Britain should naturally engage with the president on various matters.
However, he distinguished necessary diplomacy and the symbolism of a royal visit.
"Sending King Charles over there to meet him, as if he's some sort of friend, or some sort of ally, will be difficult for a lot of British people to watch," Mr Polanski said.
He suggested many would question why Starmer had made this particular choice.
Mr and Mrs Trump with Keir Starmer and his wife, Victoria Starmer | REUTERSBeyond the specific visit, Mr Polanski made clear his broader opposition to the institution of monarchy itself: "I personally have got no time for the monarchy."
The Green leader argued the Royal Family represented a poor symbol during a period of significant wealth disparity across Britain.
He pointed to the contrast between the growing fortunes of the wealthy and the struggles faced by ordinary workers.
"You have rich people are getting richer than they've ever been before, while people are struggling and nurses are queuing up at food banks," Mr Polanski said.
He described Britain as among the world's wealthiest nations yet plagued by mass inequality.