King Charles and Queen Camilla are starting a hugely significant State Visit to the US later, with the trip making headlines before it’s even begun.
The King and Queen will spend three days in the US, cementing ties in an event marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
It comes after Buckingham Palace confirmed the trip would go ahead as planned after discussions around security, begun after the shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner in which President Trump was rushed from the room as gunfire was heard less than 100 yards away from him.
(Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)
The State Visit is the first to the US in the reign of King Charles and is being seen as one of the most important moments of his three year tenure so far. Political relations between the UK and the US are unsteady with PM Sir Keir Starmer speaking out last week after a memo appeared to show President Trump’s administration sharing views on the future of the Falkland Islands.
President Trump’s deep admiration for King Charles, expressed again just hours before the State Visit when the US President called the Monarch a friend and praised his strength, has been a vital factor in maintaining positivity, an issue that Buckingham Palace is well aware of.
(Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)
The State Visit, the first by a British Monarch to the US since 2007, will begin on the afternoon of April 27 with King Charles and Queen Camilla arriving at the White House where they will be greeted by Donald and Melania Trump.
This isn’t the official welcome – the fully ceremonial will take place on the morning of April 28 within the tight security of the White House. This first meeting is a chance to greet the royal guests and after official photos are taken, King Charles and Queen Camilla will take tea with Donald and Melania Trump.
The First Lady has taken a leading role in organising this State Visit and the first part of the event will see her show one of her latest creations to King Charles and Queen Camilla. Melania Trump has recently expanded the bee colony at the Presidential residence and The King and Queen will be shown the latest hive, shaped as the White House.
(SSgt Donald C Todd/ UK MOD © Crown copyright 2025)
The King and Queen will then head to the official residence of the UK ambassador where they will host a garden party, a rare occurrence on a State Visit. It will allow Charles III to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, King George VI, who hosted a garden party there during his own visit to the US in 1939.
The full pomp and pageantry of the State Visit kicks in from April 28 when King Charles III addresses Congress and is guest of honour at a State Banquet held by Donald Trump at the White House.
The trip will also see King Charles and Queen Camilla visit New York and Virginia.
Full coverage of the State Visit to the US on Royal Central and on our social media.
