Eleventh-hour discussions regarding enhancing security for a royal tour have become a major source of worry for Buckingham Palace. This particular assignment for the King and Queen is far from routine.
The trip has been mired in controversy, with increasing dissatisfaction in recent weeks over whether the state visit should proceed. The tumultuous events witnessed at the Washington Hilton hotel are unlikely to soothe the concerns of royal aides.
Following a startling incident where an armed intruder breached security in an attempt to access the hotel ballroom where the President, his spouse, and top officials were present, Donald Trump remarked at an impromptu White House press briefing, “It’s a risky job.”
Trump, a man who has survived two previous assassination attempts and may have been the target of a third on Saturday night, faces clear safety risks that have been evident for some time. While details of the recent incident will surface soon, the Secret Service has faced scrutiny for significant lapses that have led to investigations and changes in leadership.
The deep political divide in America is one concern, but the country’s alarming gun violence statistics present another. Royal tours offer an opportunity to engage with the host nation and its people, who often gather to see members of the monarchy wherever they travel.
The chaotic aftermath of the shooting, with armed guards evacuating the President and guests as police vehicles rushed in from all directions, should not dominate discussions just hours before the arrival of the royals.
As more information comes to light, can we truly trust Trump’s commendation of the Secret Service and other agencies when a heavily armed intruder managed to breach security and narrowly avoided causing chaos?
The government’s insistence on proceeding with this tour has placed the royals in an extremely challenging position. Among the various reasons for potential setbacks on this tour, the safety of the King and Queen should never have been in question.
