King Charles III and Queen Camilla have arrived in the United States for a four-day state visit, marking the first such trip by a British monarch since Queen Elizabeth II visited in 2007.
The royal couple landed at Andrews military airbase in Maryland before heading to the White House, where they were welcomed by Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.
Their visit comes amid heightened security following a recent shooting in Washington DC at an event attended by the president.
King Charles is scheduled to address the US Congress on Tuesday, where he is expected to express sympathy over the attack.
His speech will emphasise unity during global uncertainty, stressing the importance of defending democratic values.
He is also set to acknowledge current tensions between the two nations, noting that “time and again, our two countries have always found ways to come together”.
The address will call for a “reconciliation and renewal” of the US-UK partnership, while promoting shared principles such as tolerance, liberty and equality.
According to royal sources, the King will urge continued support for alliances like Nato and efforts to protect Ukraine. He is also expected to highlight that the transatlantic relationship rests on a “generosity of spirit and a duty to foster compassion, to promote peace, to deepen mutual understanding and to value people of all faiths and none”.
Upon arrival in Maryland, the couple were received by US chief of protocol Monica Crowley and the UK’s ambassador to Washington, Sir Christian Turner.
Two children presented them with flowers before a band played both national anthems.
At the White House, the Trumps greeted the King and Queen on the South Portico, with the building undergoing ongoing construction work.
The royal guests later had tea in the Green Room and were shown a newly expanded beehive in the garden, designed as a miniature version of the White House—a gesture aimed at the King, a known supporter of beekeeping.
The visit, carried out on behalf of the UK government, is part of a broader effort to strengthen ties between the two nations as the United States prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of its independence.
Queen Camilla wore a brooch combining the British and American flags, originally gifted to Queen Elizabeth II by the mayor of New York during a 1957 visit.
That earlier trip had aimed to repair relations after the Suez Crisis strained ties between the allies.
Later, the royal couple attended a garden party at the UK embassy in Washington DC, joined by more than 600 guests with connections to both countries across politics, science, charities and the military.
The menu featured traditional fare, including sandwiches and scones, with beef sourced from the first tariff-free shipment of British imports following a recent trade agreement.
Notable attendees included Nancy Pelosi, Ted Cruz and UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.
During the event, Queen Camilla spent time speaking with campaigners tackling domestic abuse. Sandra Jackson, who works with House of Ruth, said: “It’s very important to have such advocates and it’s a cause very close to her heart.”
There had been calls for the royal couple to meet survivors linked to Jeffrey Epstein, but such a meeting did not take place due to concerns about interfering with legal processes.
Jackson said she “respected their decision” while welcoming the Queen’s engagement with the issue.
Another advocate, Michelle DeLaune, described the interaction as a sign of progress, noting the importance of raising awareness at such a high level.
Meanwhile, Epstein survivor Rina Oh told the BBC she hoped the King would “hear our stories”, adding it would be “so impactful” if he used his congressional address to “acknowledge us”.
On Tuesday, following a ceremonial military welcome at the White House, King Charles will speak before both houses of Congress—the first British monarch to do so since Queen Elizabeth II in 1991.
The visit comes at a challenging moment in US-UK relations, with President Trump having criticised UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer over Britain’s stance on the conflict in Iran.
A state dinner hosted by President Trump is also scheduled, bringing together political figures and celebrities from both sides of the Atlantic.
