King Charles III of the United Kingdom and Queen Camilla visited the United States from April 27– April 30, 2026.
This was Charles’s 20th visit to the U.S. but his first as King. It was also the first state visit by a British monarch in 19 years.
The visit was hosted by President Trump to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence. President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hosted the royal couple at a state banquet at the White House.
The visit also included a visit to the 9/11 Memorial in New York. While at the 9/11 Memorial in New York City, Charles and Camilla paid tribute to the victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks by laying a bouquet of white flowers on a parapet at the South Pool. They bowed their heads in a moment of silence and met with survivors, first responders, and families of the victims.
The Trumps also hosted a State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House for the King and Queen. This featured military honours by the US Army Herald Trumpets. The UK and US national anthems were played by “The President’s Own” US Marine Band, and the Presidential Salute Battery performed a 21-gun cannon salute. There was an inspection of the Troops, and four F-35 fighter jets conducted a ceremonial flypast over the White House to honor the monarch and Queen.
The King and Queen also met with members of Trump’s cabinet including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The King addressed a joint meeting of the United States Congress. This was only the second address to a joint meeting of Congress by a British monarch. The first was given by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991. His speech received about a dozen standing ovations.
The Queen attended an event at the New York Public Library to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Winnie-the-Pooh. Queen Camilla completed the Library’s stuffed toy collection of characters with a specially made Roo.
