King Charles and Queen Camilla will make a state visit to the United States next month.

The royal couple will attend a state dinner at the White House - with the 77-year-old monarch making a speech to Congress - on a visit to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence and "celebrate the historic connections" between the UK and US.

Buckingham Palace said: "On advice of His Majesty's Government, and at the invitation of The President of the United States, The King and Queen will undertake a State Visit to the United States of America.

"Their majesties' programme will celebrate the historic connections and the modern bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States."

US President Donald Trump says the "momentous" visit will take place from April 27-30.

He wrote in a Truth Social post: "Melania and I are pleased to announce that Their Majesties, the King and Queen of the United Kingdom, will visit the United States for a Historic State Visit from April 27-30th, which will include a beautiful Banquet Dinner at the White House on the evening of April 28th.

"This momentous occasion will be even more special this year, as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of our Great Country. I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect. It will be TERRIFIC."

It will mark the first time a British monarch has paid a state visit to the US since the late Queen Elizabeth did so back in 2007.

The King will follow this with a solo trip to Bermuda in what will be his first visit as monarch to a British Overseas Territory.

It is hoped that the royal visit can help smooth relations between Trump and the UK amid the US President's aggressive rhetoric during the ongoing Iran war but over 140,000 people have signed a petition calling for the trip to be cancelled.

Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey has called for the visit to be scrapped and said that sending the King to the US would be a "humiliation" amid Trump's criticism of Britain's conduct in the conflict with Iran.