Royal charm: King Charles' visit seeks to win round Trump and reset a souring relationship

More than two centuries after the 13 colonies rebelled against King George III and sent his redcoats packing, a direct descendant of that monarch will arrive Monday in Washington to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence from British rule

More than two centuries after the 13 colonies rebelled against King George III and sent his redcoats packing, a direct descendant of that monarch will arrive Monday in Washington to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence from British rule.

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King Charles’ mission, which he has chosen to accept: repairing what’s known in Britain as the “special relationship” with the United States, ties that have been significantly tested under President Donald Trump.

While British royals aim to stay above the political fray, that is easier said than done. In recent months, Trump has questioned the contribution of NATO soldiers during the Afghanistan war, where 457 British service members were killed, publicly attacked British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for his lack of support for the war with Iran, and yanked his backing for a plan to cede sovereignty of a British territory in the Indian Ocean that is home to a joint U.S.-British military base.