Mere days after US President Donald Trump was the victim of an attempted assassination, King Charles III and Queen Camilla touched down in Washington, DC. They are there for an official four-day State Tour.
The visit of the British Monarchs coincides with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the US Declaration of Independence.
It also comes weeks after King Charles’ son, Prince Harry, and the Duchess of Sussex made their non-Royal visit to Australia. There is nothing on the King’s itinerary that tells us that he will meet with his son, daughter-in-law, or grandchildren while in the United States.
In a fumble from the Americans, they reportedly put up Australian flags instead of the Union Jack to mark the King’s visit. However, as King Charles is also King of Australia, perhaps they could be forgiven?
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump welcomed the Royal Couple to the capital. The last time they were together was during President Trump’s visit to the UK in September 2025. It was the first time that the UK government invited the US President for an official visit twice.
Ahead of their arrival, the Royal Palace released a “look back” at the Royal Family’s longstanding relationship with the USA.
King George VI was the first British monarch to accept an invitation for an official visit in 1939. Queen Elizabeth II made four state visits during her reign in 1957 (when she addressed the United Nations), 1976 (to mark the 200th anniversary of American independence), 1991, and 2007.
In 1970, then-Prince Charles visited the USA with Princess Anne, the Princess Royal. He returned again with Queen Camilla, then Duchess of Cornwall, in 2005. It was their first official overseas visit following their marriage. Then again in 2011 and 2015. The King has not visited since President Trump became president.
Follow along as we update on King Charles and Queen Camilla’s four-day state visit from April 27 to 30. And keep an eye out for the gala on 28 April!
King Charles State Visit itinerary:
Day One:
Following their greeting with the President and First Lady, the Royals enjoyed tea in the Green Room. They had dainties, including honey from the White House apiary. After tea, Their Majesties were shown the beehives in the White House gardens.
The beehives are part of Melania’s efforts to improve the existing honey program at the White House. While they were walking to the beehives, you could spot cranes in the background. Potentially, they are those involved with the construction of the new White House ballroom.
Also on their first day, King Charles and Queen Camilla attended a garden party at the British Embassy. The party was hosted by British Ambassador to the US, Sir Christian Turner and his wife Claire Turner. The party was attended by US politicians, military personnel, media, and athletes, including British Olympic gold medallist Tom Daley.
While at the party, the Royals explored the Ambassador’s Library room to see a time capsule of documents.
Day Two:
King Charles’ speech to Congress
On their second day of their US visit, King Charles and Queen Camilla attended a special Joint Meeting of Congress. King Charles followed in his mother Queen Elizabeth’s footsteps and made an adress to Congress. She was the first British monarch to do so in 1991.
In his speech, the King quoted the great Irish author Oscar Wilde, saying: “We have really everything in common with America nowadays except, of course, language!”
He acknowledged the violence and wars in Europe and the Middle East, “which pose immense challenges for the international community,” as well as the attack on the White House Press Conference Dinner, only days ago. And the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 Terrorist attack in New York.
“Let me say with unshakeable resolve: such acts of violence will never succeed. Whatever our differences, whatever disagreements we may have, we stand united in our commitment to uphold democracy, to protect all our people from harm, and to salute the courage of those who daily risk their lives in the service of our countries.”
King Charles also noted that while it has been 250 years since the US gained its independence, the two nations have been connected for “over four centuries”.
“It is hard not to feel the weight of history on my shoulder,” remarked King Charles. “It is extraordinary to think that I am the nineteenth in our line of Sovereigns to study, with daily attention, the affairs of America.” Adding that it was difficult not to think of his mother, saying that the era in which he speaks is more violent and turbulent than hers.
Charles also remarked on one of the main issues the revolutionaries had with the Crown,” taxation without representation”. He also spoke about the commonalities between their two countries and referred to the Founding Fathers of the US as “bold and imaginative rebels with a cause.”
“With the Spirit of 1776 in our minds, we can perhaps agree that we do not always agree – at least in the first instance!”
The King ended his speech speaking about their “shared responsibility” to protect the planet and the “natural wonders of the United States.”
“The story of the United Kingdom and the United States is, at its heart, a story of reconciliation, renewal and remarkable partnership.”
Formal ceremonial welcome and meeting students
Earlier that day, King Charles and Queen Camilla received a formal ceremonial welcome to the United States. They observed military personal including a marching band in traditional 1800s garb, to represent the colonial period when the United States gained its independence from the UK. The King then had a meeting with Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
Elsewhere, Queen Camilla and First Lady Melania Trump were joined by students on the White House Tennis Pavilion to learn about history using virtual reality headsets and AI-enabled glasses.
King Charles and Queen Camilla attend an official state dinner
President Trump and First Lady Melania hosted the King and Queen for an official state dinner to honour the visiting monarchs at the White House.
The dinner was attended by Washington politicians. Queen Camilla wore a bright magenta Fiona Clare Couture bewtwelled gown. She chose to wear Queen Elizabeth II’s Kent Demi amethyst parure necklace and earrings and the Queen Mother’s Cartier diamond and ruby bracelets as a touching nod to both women and their connection to the United States. The First Lady wore a stunning blush pink floor-length gown with elbow-length gloves.
Both King Charles and President Trump made speeches at the dinner and toasted to their countries’ continued alliance.
Day Three: New York
The British Royals pay their respects at the 9/11 Memorial
King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived in New York on the third day of their tour. They first paid their respects to those lost during the 9/11 terrorist attack at the 9/11 Memorial.
It is the 25th anniversary of the attack this September. Yesterday, the King paid tribute to those impacted by the horrendous attack. He also remarked that it was a momentous occasion when the United Nations Security Council took an unprecedented step: it adopted United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373. This imposed strict obligations on all member states, not just those involved in the conflict.
The King and Queen left a bouquet of white flowers on the memorial with a note:
“We honour the memory of all those who so tragically lost their lives on 11th September 2001, and stand in enduring solidarity with the American people in the face of such profound loss.”
Charles & Camilla
They also met with New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, as well as Beth Hillman, the CEO of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.
King Charles visits Harlem Grown
In a city like New York, one might not expect too much farm work to happen. However, Harlem Grown is a non-profit network of urban farms that provides support to children and young families in the area.
The King received a letter from one of the children asking him to attend. The child, Amina, wrote:
Dear King Charles,
We would like for you to come to Harlem Grown. There are lots of plants and we heart that you love nature! Please come help us make the workd a better place.”
– Amina
While there, one of the children also complimented the monarch’s hair! Back in the UK, the King keeps chickens in the adorably named Cluckingham Palace, and he looked delighted to feed the chickens in Harlem.
Queen Camilla meets with Sarah Jessica Parker and Anna Wintour at New York Public Library
While the King was in Harlem, Queen Camilla had her own solo outing to the New York Library for a literary event as part of The Queens Reading Room.
Sarah Jessica Parker guided the Queen around the library on a private tour, and the two observed historic items from the Library’s collection which celebrate the connection between the UK and the US. Among the items are a collection of A. A. Milne’s stuffed toys from the 1920s, which inspired Winnie the Pooh. Sadly, the Roo was missing. However, the Queen gifted a specially made Roo stuffed toy to the New York Library. A.A. Milne’s son was in attendance to receive the replica Roo, which was made by the same company that made the original stuffed toys.
2026 is the 100th anniversary of Winnie the Pooh. The Royal Family posted an adorable video to their Instagram showing Roo’s journey from the UK:
The Queen read some of the original story to a group of children at the event as well.
Day Four: Arlington, Virginia
On the fourth and final day of their US state visit, the King and Queen went to Arlington, Virginia. They paid their respects to the Tomb of the Fallen Soldier, a memorial for all those who perished in service of their country. While at the cemetery, King Charles and Queen Camilla met with service personnel from Commonwealth countries, including Australia, Canada, the UK and New Zealand.
Following that engagement, Their Majesties attended a block party to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Dubbed ‘America’s Potluck’, these block parties were happening all across the United States as a celebration of community and history.
The Royals shared a video on their social media showing parades, dancers, and the King and Queen chatting with locals.
Their final engagement was to visit and celebrate Parks and Recreation services. The King and Queen travelled to one of America’s famed national parks: the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains and Appalachian Highlands. He met with rangers and even a bald eagle, the national animal of the UK and a Native American tribe.
The King and Queen are now travelling to Bermuda, marking His Majesty’s first official visit to an Overseas Territory since becoming the monarch.
Before leaving, the King and Queen bade farewell to the United States of America with a touching note:
“Farewell and thank you for the warmth of your welcome and the kind support you gave us throughout our first visit to the US as King and Queen, in this, your special anniversary year. We leave a piece of our ❤️ behind and take a little of yours back home with us. Until the next time… God Bless America.”
