Angelina Jolie's Daughter Zahara, 21, Speaks About Her 'Kindred' Relationship with Her Mom, Addresses Growing Up in the Public Eye

Angelina Jolie's daughter Zahara reflected on her "kindred" bond with her mom during a speech at a mother-daughter brunch in Atlanta

People Angelina Jolie and Zahara Jolie attend the 36th Annual Palm Springs International Film Awards in January 2025.Credit: Presley Ann/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

  • The Spelman College senior credited Jolie for inspiring her values of kindness and helping others

  • Zahara shared how Jolie's humanitarian work influenced her leadership roles and passion for mentoring young girls

Angelina Jolie'soldest daughterZaharais opening up about her relationship with her mom.

The 21-year-old daughter of Jolie spoke at a mother-daughter brunch for the Pearls of Purpose Foundation on Sunday, April 26 in Atlanta. Zahara, who is a graduating senior at Spelman College majoring in psychology and minoring in educational studies, spoke of her "unique" and "kindred" relationship with her famous mother as she addressed the audience.

"When asked to speak with you all today on the value of mother-daughter relationships, it felt challenging to find the words," began Zahara, per avideo on Instagram. "Not challenging because I don’t value it, but because my mom and I have a unique, almost kindred, relationship that can be hard to put into words."

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Angelina Jolie and her daughter Zahara Jolie attend the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards.Credit: VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty

"Our love for each other is a found one. I was adopted at 6 months old and given some of the most special and loving people as my siblings, with a mom who raised us on the value of helping others, being kind and always striving for growth as people," she continued. "These values may sound simple, but in a world where kindness is overlooked and helping others comes at a cost, I am grateful to have had a role model to show me what it looks like to be a decent human being."

Zahara went on to say that other daughters in the room might understand the idea of thinking of her mom as a superhero. She said she's been trying to understand her whole life how Jolie "does it."

"She’s the most selfless, loving and understanding woman who I get to call my mom," said Zahara of Jolie, explaining that she knew going to college and getting accepted into a sorority was a big change for her.

Angelina Jolie with her kids in February 2019.Credit: Monica Schipper/Getty

"Early on, I realized it would be challenging to include my mom and family in these worlds without being able to directly share the effects," she said. "With the addition of the public life that we live, it can be hard to find those special and intimate moments without being overwhelmed with the many eyes that are on us."

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"This has never stopped my mom from being curious about all that I’m learning in and outside of my classrooms at Spelman and having many understandable questions about sorority life and my experiences," Zahara continued. "My family embraces the newness and strives to understand these meaningful organizations in my life as I share my experiences."

Zahara shared that watching Jolie's humanitarian work across the world has "rubbed off" on her and that as the oldest sister, she often took on the "second mother role."

"I loved caring for my younger siblings and mirroring the care and compassion my mom showed us," she said.

Angelina Jolie and her kids attend the Los Angeles Premiere of Marvel Studios'

The college student, who currently serves as vice president of the Mu Phi chapter of her sorority and wants to pursue a career in youth development or mentorship with young girls, added that she's been drawn to leadership roles while in school.

"Through my matriculation, I have witnessed the joy and challenges that come with mentorship and the importance of having positive role models," said Zahara. "We all know that we do not get where we are solely on our merit."

"I think back to a quote I saw years ago that said, ‘I am a strong woman because a strong woman raised me,' " she ended her speech, turning to face Jolie. "Thank you, Mom."

Alongside Zahara, Jolie is mom to twinsVivienneandKnox, 17, plus daughterShiloh, 19, and sons Pax, 22, andMaddox, 24.

Read the original article onPeople

Angelina Jolie's Daughter Zahara, 21, Speaks About Her 'Kindred' Relationship with Her Mom, Addresses Growing Up in the Public Eye

Angelina Jolie's daughter Zahara reflected on her "kindred" bond with her mom during a speech at a mother-daughter brunch...
Major study of ‘light switches’ in cells could pave way for new cancer treatments

A new multimillion-pound study is set to investigate the intricate mechanisms of cellular "light switches" believed to play a crucial role in the development ofcancer.

The Independent US

Researchers at theUniversity of Dundeeaim to unravel the signals that govern cell division, a fundamental biological process vital for growth and injury repair within the human body.

While it is understood thatcellsactivate or deactivate signals to divide, scientists are particularly intrigued by why certain signals must "flash" continuously on and off for proper cellular division.

This rhythmic signalling dictates cell behaviour, and any malfunction in this process could lead to serious health issues, including the onset of cancer.

The team hope that by decoding these previously hidden signals, they can gain a clearer understanding of accurate cell division, pinpoint how this essential process goes awry in diseases like cancer, and ultimately pave the way for more effective treatment strategies.

Study lead Professor Adrian Saurin, from the university’s Faculty of Health, said: “Many of the proteins inside our cells are controlled by chemical tags – phosphates – which are effectively light switches.

“They attach to proteins to turn them ‘on’ and when they detach this turns them ‘off’ again.

“We know a huge amount about which proteins are turned ‘on’ or ‘off’ at any given time in our cells, but what we don’t know is how quickly these proteins can ‘flash’ on and off over time.

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“So we’re missing a huge part of the puzzle, because the rate that these signals flash could effectively be a form of biological morse code, which sends messages to control the behaviour.”

While it is understood that cells activate or deactivate signals to divide, scientists are particularly intrigued by why certain signals must

The rapid on-off cycles are known as phosphorylation–dephosphorylation (PdP) dynamics.

Prof Saurin continued: “We have now created the first tools to decipher this code, which we hope will explain how our cells divide accurately, and shine a light on how this can be used to benefit patients affected by cancer.”

Study co-investigator Dr Tony Ly, from Dundee University’s Faculty of Life Sciences, said: “We’re especially pleased to be leading this project from Dundee since protein phosphorylation is a topic that Dundee is already internationally recognised for.

“This research capitalises on our longstanding collaboration, bringing together complementary expertise, to shed new light on an aspect of phosphorylation that is virtually unexplored.

“Unlocking this knowledge will present us with an opportunity to better understand cancer in the future, perhaps revealing new treatment ideas.”

The eight-year project is funded by a £4 million award from Wellcome and will be conducted in conjunction with the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology in Dortmund, Germany.

Professor Andrea Musacchio, director at the Max Planck Institute and also a co-investigator, said “Our expertise in the biochemical reconstitution of the kinetochore complements the diverse skillsets of our team and gives us the opportunity to understand these patterns during cell division in healthy cells, and what goes wrong in cancer cells that allow them to evolve and become resistant to chemotherapy.”

Major study of ‘light switches’ in cells could pave way for new cancer treatments

A new multimillion-pound study is set to investigate the intricate mechanisms of cellular "light switches" believed to play a...
Farmers in Vermont expected a sheep to have twins. She ended up having rare sextuplets

UNDERHILL, Vt. (AP) — Anne O'Connor just kept counting sheep, and it made her anything but sleepy.

Associated Press In this photo provided by the Clover and Bee Farm, a ewe and her sextuplet lambs rest at the farm in Underhill, Vt., on Thursday, April 9, 2026. (Anne O'Connor/Clover and Bee Farm via AP) Lambs graze at Clover and Bee Farm, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Underhill, Vt. (AP Photo/Amanda Swinhart) A ewe and her sextuplet lambs graze at Clover and Bee Farm, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Underhill, Vt. (AP Photo/Amanda Swinhart) A ewe and her lambs graze at Clover and Bee Farm, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Underhill, Vt. (AP Photo/Amanda Swinhart) A ewe and her sextuplet lambs are pictured at Clover and Bee Farm, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Underhill, Vt. (AP Photo/Amanda Swinhart)

US Sheep Sextuplets Vermont

A sheep owned by O'Connor, who runs Clover & Bee Farm in Underhill, Vermont, with her husband, Gunnar, gave birth to a rare batch of six lambs earlier this month. The sextuplets and their mother are all doing well, making the lamb windfall even more remarkable.

The same ewe previously had quadruplets, and while a recent checkup indicated she would have two lambs this time, O'Connor suspected more. When the big day came, the baby lambs seemed to have kept coming and coming, she said.

“I was a little bit suspicious, just given how big she was and that she was going a little earlier, that she might have more than two,” she said. “Six is great, but it's definitely — it's plenty.”

Sources differ on how uncommon sheep sextuplets are, with O'Connor putting the number around 1 in 1,000 and some agricultural websites placing it at one in a million or higher. O'Connor said she has been in touch with the Vermont Sheep & Goat Association about the births, and the group found only one other shepherd had a sheep give birth to so many lambs.

“They do take longer to reach full body weight, but most do just fine,” said Kristen Judkins of Gilead Fiber Farm, who owned a ewe that had sextuplets three years in a row, in an email. “You have to keep an eye on them for the first few weeks to make sure they are getting enough to eat.”

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The lambs, which are partially the Finnsheep breed, are named the numbers one through six in Finnish. Their mother is named Teemu after Finnish hockey player and Hockey Hall of Famer Teemu Selänne. The O'Connors plan to keep the four ewes and find homes for the two male lambs.

The farm raises sheep for wool and also grows herbs and berries. It's headed for its fifth summer raising sheep. The flock is booming — along with two other recent babies, the six new lambs have brought the total up to 21. And five ewes are currently pregnant.

Teemu's breeding days are likely not over. She'll be allowed a respite, but odds are good she'll have more lambs in the future, O'Connor said.

“She’s a great mom, she’s doing awesome with this,” O'Connor said. “She’s still very much in her reproductive years, so probably a year or more and she’ll just, you know, be able to put her hooves up.”

Whittle reported from Portland, Maine.

Farmers in Vermont expected a sheep to have twins. She ended up having rare sextuplets

UNDERHILL, Vt. (AP) — Anne O'Connor just kept counting sheep, and it made her anything but sleepy. US Sheep Sextuplets Ve...
FDA proposes to withdraw Amgen's rare autoimmune disease drug

April 27 (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug ‌Administration's Center for Drug ‌Evaluation and Research on Monday ​proposed withdrawing approval of Amgen's drug for a group of rare autoimmune diseases, ‌citing ⁠a lack of proven effectiveness and untrue ⁠statements in the application that led to its ​approval.

Reuters

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In March, ​the ​FDA said it ‌identified 76 cases of drug-induced liver injury with evidence suggesting a causal link to Tavneos, including seven ‌cases of ​vanishing bile duct ​syndrome (VBDS), ​a rare condition ‌that can cause permanent ​liver ​damage. Eight deaths were reported among those cases.

(Reporting ​by ‌Natalia Bueno Rebolledo in ​Mexico City; Editing by ​Rashmi Aich)

FDA proposes to withdraw Amgen's rare autoimmune disease drug

April 27 (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug ‌Administration's Center for Drug ‌Evaluation and Research on Monday ​proposed withdraw...
Iran live updates: Trump says 'no more Mr. Nice Guy' if Iran refuses nuclear deal

President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting military, government and infrastructure sites.

ABC News

Following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire,initial U.S.-Iran talksin Pakistan earlier this month failed to reach a peace deal.

Trump later announced the open-ended extension of the ceasefire and the continuation of the blockade until Iran's proposal is submitted and discussions are concluded "one way or the other."

Latest Developments

Apr 29, 7:03 AMIsraeli strikes kill 3 rescue workers in Lebanon, Civil Defense says

Three members of Lebanon's Civil Defense were killed by Israel in southern Lebanon on Tuesday while trying to carry out a rescue operation, Lebanon's Civil Defense said.Hussein Sati, Hadi Daher and Hussein Ghadbouni were all long-time volunteers with the Civil Defense, the service said. Sati is survived by two children, while Daher and Ghadbouni were both in their 20s.The Lebanese Armed Forces said two of its soldiers were also injured in the same attack.

Shir Torem/Reuters - PHOTO: Smoke rises following explosions in southern Lebanon on April 28, 2026.

-ABC News' Victoria Beaule

Apr 29, 4:24 AMTrump says 'no more Mr. Nice Guy' if Iran refuses nuclear deal

President Donald Trump posted to social media early on Wednesday morning warning of fresh consequences if Tehran does not agree to a new nuclear deal."Iran can't get their act together. They don't know how to sign a nonnuclear deal. They better get smart soon!" Trump wrote, adding, "No more Mr. Nice Guy!"

Apr 29, 4:05 AMTrump attacks Merz over Iran war criticism

President Donald Trump on Tuesday issued an apparent rebuke of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's criticism of American strategy in Iran, saying that the German leader doesn't "know what he's talking about."Merz, Trump claimed, "thinks it's OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon" -- something Merz did not say in his Monday criticism of the U.S.-Israel campaign.

Henry Nicholls/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks as he and First Lady Melania Trump host Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla during a State Dinner in the East Room of the White House in Washington, April 28, 2026.

"If Iran had a Nuclear Weapon, the whole World would be held hostage. I am doing something with Iran, right now, that other Nations, or Presidents, should have done long ago," Trump said."No wonder Germany is doing so poorly, both Economically, and otherwise," Trump added in the post.Merz said at an event on Monday that the U.S. had "no strategy" in Iran and was "being humiliated by the Iranian state leadership."-ABC News' Michelle Stoddart

Apr 29, 3:35 AMIDF continues south Lebanon strikes

The Israel Defense Forces said in a post to X on Wednesday that its strikes against alleged Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon continued through Tuesday.Israeli operations were ongoing "north of the forward defense line," the IDF said, referring to a line inside southern Lebanon to which Israeli forces are advancing, which is intended as the forward boundary of a planned "buffer zone" along the Israeli-Lebanese border.The IDF also said there were "several incidents" of drone attacks on Israeli forces operating in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, in which one soldier was "lightly wounded."

-/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Smoke rises from the site of explosions conducted by Israeli troops in the southern Lebanese village of Arnoun on April 28, 2026.

Apr 28, 3:54 PMUS launches another wave of sanctions targeting Iran's shadow banking network

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The Trump administration is taking additional action against nearly three dozen entities and individuals accused of operating Iran’s shadow banking networks.The administration says these entities and individuals allow the Iranian regime to evade sanctions and pocket “tens of billions of dollars.”"By dismantling these financial channels, we advance the Administration’s policy in the conflict with Iran and underscore our commitment to imposing maximum pressure on Iran,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement.-ABC News’ Shannon Kingston

Apr 28, 1:34 PMIsrael will treat southern Lebanon 'just like Gaza,' Israeli defense minister saysIsrael will continue to destroy terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon "just like in Gaza,” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday.

Jalaa Marey/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Israeli tanks and military vehicles drive along the road between destroyed houses in southern Lebanon near the border with Israel, on April 25, 2026.

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have instructed the IDF to destroy every terror infrastructure in the security zone up to the yellow line, below and above ground, just like in Gaza,” Katz said."The IDF has now destroyed an underground terror infrastructure in Qantara, Lebanon, in a huge explosion, inside the new security zone," Katz said.A ceasefire has in place since April 16 but strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon have continued. Hezbollah has also continued to target Israeli troop positions in southern Lebanon.-ABC News’Dorit Long

Apr 28, 1:19 PMIran openly threatening bigger response if attacked again, Iranian military spokesperson says

Iran signaled Tuesday that it is not standing down in its dealings with the United States amid the war.Iran said it does not consider the war over. Despite the ceasefire, Iran said it is actively updating targets, continuing training, and producing and upgrading weapons. "Conditions remain those of wartime," Mohammad Akraminia, Iranian Army spokesman, said on Tuesday.Akraminia said Iran's response to future attacks from the U.S. would be severe."We have many cards we have not yet played. We possess new arenas of war, new tools, and new methods of fighting based on the experiences of the two previous wars. We have many cards we have not yet played. We possess new arenas of war, new tools, and new methods of fighting based on the experiences of the two previous wars. We can certainly respond to the enemy more decisively and more crushingly," he said. "We can certainly respond to the enemy more decisively and more crushingly."

Majid Asgaripour/Reuters - PHOTO: An Iranian flag in Tehran, Iran, April 27, 2026.

-ABC News'Desiree Adib

Apr 28, 10:08 AMTrump says Iran 'informed' the US that it's in a 'state of collapse'

President Donald Trump wrote, without citing evidence, on social media on Tuesday that “Iran has just informed us that they are in a ‘State of Collapse.’”Trump said Iran is asking for the U.S. to lift the naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz “as soon as possible.”Trump added that this alleged request from Iran comes as the nation tries “o figure out their leadership situation,” which he said he “believe[s] they will be able to do!”Trump has repeatedly expressed mixed messages about Iran’s leadership, insisting that regime change has occurred, while also claiming that the U.S. does not know who Iran’s leaders are.-ABC News’Emily Chang

Apr 28, 6:41 AMRubio says competing 'hardliner' factions in Iran complicating talks

Speaking to Fox News in an interview published on Monday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that competing groups of "hardliners" in Iran are complicating stalled peace talks with the U.S."They're all hardliners in Iran. But there are hardliners who understand they have to run a country and an economy and there are hardliners that are completely motivated by theology," Rubio said.

Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: A man carries an Iranian flag in Sadeghyeh Square in Tehran on April 27, 2026.

"The hardliners that are motivated by theology are not just the [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] officials, but obviously the supreme leader and the council that surrounds him," Rubio continued."And then you've got the political class -- the foreign minister, the president, the speaker, the majlis, these guys -- they're hardliners too, but they also understand the country has to have an economy. People have to eat. They have to figure out a way to pay salaries in their government," Rubio said."Unfortunately, the hardliners, with an apocalyptic vision of the future, have the ultimate power in that country," Rubio added.-ABC News' Somayeh Malekian and Joe Simonetti

Apr 28, 6:29 AMUS achieved none of its goals in Iran, Araghchi says

Speaking to a reporter in St. Petersburg during his visit to Russia, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the U.S. had achieved none of its goals and was therefore asking for negotiations -- a request Araghchi said Iran is "considering."Regarding bilateral Iranian-Russian relations, Araghchi said the two countries are "strategic partners" and that cooperation between them would continue.

Dmitry Lovetsky/POOL/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attend talks at the Boris Yeltsin Presidential Library in St. Petersburg, Russia, on April 27, 2026.

-ABC News' Somayeh Malekian and Joe Simonetti

Click here to read the rest of the blog.

Iran live updates: Trump says 'no more Mr. Nice Guy' if Iran refuses nuclear deal

President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes t...
Dan Vladar good to go for Flyers in Game 4; Penguins turn to Arturs Silovs

The Philadelphia Flyers are soaring through their first-round playoff series thanks to Dan Vladar, who has been confirmed to start Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first-round series against the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday.

Field Level Media

Philadelphia leads the best-of-seven series 3-0 after notching a pair of wins in Pittsburgh followed by a 5-2 home victory Wednesday. Vladar made 27 saves in Game 3, but injured his right arm during a chaotic sequence in front of the net in the third period.

While Vladar, 28, finished Game 3 without further incident, he did not practice on Thursday and the team had Friday off before he participated in Saturday's morning skate. Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet confirmed on Saturday morning that Vladar will start Game 4.

After a strong regular season, Vladar has a .946 save percentage in this series that includes a 27-save shutout in Game 2. If Vladar had been unable to play on Saturday, then fourth-year veteran Samuel Ersson was set to make his postseason debut.

"I feel like I'm in a good spot with my game," said Ersson, who has not played since April 14.

Of course, it will help if the Flyers continue to receive scoring production from up and down their lineup. The team had five goal-scorers in Game 3, including four who registered their first career playoff tally.

Trevor Zegras and Noah Cates each had a goal and an assist for Philadelphia, which has won six straight games dating back to the regular season. The Flyers will try to ride the momentum of their home crowd to their first series victory since 2020.

"That was the craziest building I've ever played in," defenseman Nick Seeler said of the Game 3 atmosphere. "The fans were fantastic."

Part of the chaotic atmosphere was a product of a penalty-filled second period in which the teams combined for 17 penalties. Penguins coach Dan Muse was not happy about how the officials handled the physicality in that period, but his squad doesn't have time to dwell on their recent losses.

"We have to win a hockey game," Muse said. "So, we'll have a practice (Friday) and get ready for that game and then go into that game and we need to win a game. That's entirely where the focus is right now."

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Evgeni Malkin and defenseman Erik Karlsson scored in Game 3 for Pittsburgh, which has dropped six straight contests going back to the regular season. Malkin has two goals in this series, which equals the rest of his teammates combined.

"Now we're going to see what we're really made of," Karlsson said. "Now it's do-or-die. The toughest game to win is that fourth one, so hopefully we can start by winning one."

Only four teams in NHL history have come back from a 3-0 series deficit to win the final four games. It hasn't happened in more than a decade -- the Los Angeles Kings turned the trick against the San Jose Sharks in 2014 -- and the Penguins have never accomplished it.

"There's not much room for error when you're in this position. That's reality," Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby said. "But the fact is, we've got to win a game. That's got to be our focus. You can't grab three on Saturday. You've got to win one."

The Penguins are making a goaltending change, with Arturs Silovs getting the nod over Stuart Skinner.

"Both guys have played very well for us all year," Muse said of Silovs and Skinner. "You go through the entire regular season, both guys have won big games. We have a lot of confidence in both guys. Decision isn't based on Stu's play; I thought Stu's played really well this series.

"We lost three games and so (we) decided that we made some changes there in the lineup."

Skinner, who started the first three games, has a 3.08 goals-against average and .873 save percentage in the series.

Silovs, 25, posted a 19-12-8 record with two shutouts and a 3.07 GAA and .888 save percentage in 39 games (38 starts) this season. Two seasons ago with the Vancouver Canucks, Silovs went 5-5 in 10 playoff starts with a 2.91 GAA and .898 save percentage.

"I think you've seen in his day to day, just his preparation, he's a competitor, whether it's in practice or in games," Muse said. "You can say that obviously with both guys, but I think it's a good thing and it's a benefit to us, is you've got both guys that have been in a lot of big games, with Arty just going back to playoffs, Olympics, World Championships. He's a young guy, but he has had a lot of big moments that he's been in, and he's attacked those big moments."

--Field Level Media

Dan Vladar good to go for Flyers in Game 4; Penguins turn to Arturs Silovs

The Philadelphia Flyers are soaring through their first-round playoff series thanks to Dan Vladar, who has been confirmed to start Game...
King Charles jets to US for trip overshadowed by Iran quarrel and shooting

By Michael Holden and Suzanne Plunkett

Reuters FILE PHOTO: Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla visit the British Museum to view the final design for the Queen Elizabeth Memorial, on the 100th anniversary of the late queen's birth, in London, Britain April 21, 2026. Ian Vogler/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo A U.S. flag and a Union Jack Flag fly in the wind near the White House ahead of Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla’s visit to the United States, in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 26, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz

FILE PHOTO: Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla visit the British Museum on the 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's birth

LONDON/WASHINGTON, April 27 (Reuters) - Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive in the United States later on Monday for a four-day trip, a tour which has taken on even greater prominence after the White House Correspondents' dinner shooting ‌and amid acrimony between the close allies.

The state visit, by far the most high-profile and consequential of Charles's reign, marks the 250th anniversary ‌of the U.S. declaration of independence from British rule, and is the first to the country by a British monarch for two decades.

It begins with a private meeting with self-proclaimed royal ​fan President Donald Trump, and includes an address to Congress and a lavish dinner at the White House.

PRESS DINNER SHOOTING JUST DAYS BEFORE VISIT

But the long-planned trip has become enmeshed in the political spat between the two countries over the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, which led Trump to voice deep displeasure with the British government for failing to support the offensive.

The shooting on Saturday at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, with the president and officials in his ‌administration the likely targets according to the U.S. acting ⁠attorney general, has cast a further pall over the visit.

Buckingham Palace said the trip would still go ahead as planned following discussions between British and U.S. authorities to determine if the incident would impact on the royals' plans.

"The king and ⁠queen are most grateful to all those who have worked at pace to ensure this remains the case and are looking forward to the visit getting underway tomorrow," a palace spokesperson said on Sunday.

TRUMP HAS CRITICISED UK OVER IRAN STANCE

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On arriving in Washington, the king and queen have a private tea with the president, an unabashed ​lover ​of the British royal family who regularly describes Charles as a "great man", and his ​wife, first lady Melania Trump.

The 77-year-old king, who is still ‌undergoing treatment for cancer, will address Congress the next day - just the second time a British monarch has done so.

The royals will then head on to New York where they will commemorate those killed in the September 11, 2001 attacks ahead of the 25th anniversary, while the queen will also mark the centenary of children's stories featuring Winnie the Pooh.

The U.S. trip concludes in Virginia with the king meeting those involved in conservation work, a nod to his half century of environmental campaigning.

The government of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is hoping the visit will shore up the future of the two allies' "special ‌relationship" which is at its lowest point since the Suez Crisis in 1956.

Britain's ambassador ​to the U.S., Christian Turner, said the visit would underscore the shared history, sacrifice and ​common values between the two countries, adding that the approach would ​be a very British one of: "Keep calm, carry on."

While Trump has eased his criticism of Britain in recent days over ‌its response to the Iran war, an internal Pentagon email ​has set out how the U.S. could ​review its position on Britain's claim to the Falkland Islands as punishment for its lack of support, once again straining ties.

One issue off the table during the visit is the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Royal sources have said it was not possible for the royal couple to meet ​any victims of Epstein during the tour, as ‌some have requested, to avoid impacting on any potential criminal cases.

Charles' brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, whose reputation and royal standing has been destroyed ​over his links to the late U.S. sex offender, is currently facing police inquiries over his connections. The former Prince Andrew ​has denied any wrongdoing.

(Reporting by Michael Holden in London; Editing by Toby Chopra)

King Charles jets to US for trip overshadowed by Iran quarrel and shooting

By Michael Holden and Suzanne Plunkett FILE PHOTO: Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla visit the British Museum on the ...

 

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