new york —
King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Wednesday continued to emphasize the “enduring solidarity” between the United States and Britain in a heartfelt handwritten message left at the 9/11 Memorial in New York.
“We honor the memory of those who tragically lost their lives on September 11, 2001,” the royal couple wrote on a notecard accompanying the bouquet of white flowers. “We express our enduring solidarity with the American people who are facing profound loss.”
The moment came as part of the king and queen’s day-long detour from Washington, D.C., to New York to highlight the shared ties between the United States and Britain and spotlight some of the royal family’s philanthropic efforts. They also met dignitaries and celebrities in America’s most populous city.
The King and Queen were given a tour of part of the site by former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who serves as chairman of the National September 11th Memorial Museum.
King Charles and Queen Camilla visit 9/11 memorial
The handwritten message was part of Charles’ efforts to emphasize support and unity between the two countries’ allies amid tense relations between US President Donald Trump and Europe, particularly the UK. Trump has repeatedly criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, including in public remarks on Wednesday.
In his address to the US Congress the previous day, the king also referred to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, which marked the first time NATO Article 5 was triggered and Britain defended the US.
“The dedication and expertise of the U.S. military and its allies is at the heart of NATO, pledging to defend each other, protect our peoples and interests, and protect North Americans and Europeans from our common enemies,” Charles said in a speech Tuesday.
The September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center killed around 2,800 people, 67 of whom were British.
The royal couple met with several New York City elected officials, including Mayor Zoran Mamdani, at the Ground Zero site. Before the event, Mamdani said that if he had the opportunity to speak to the king privately, he would urge Prince Charles to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond, one of the world’s most famous and controversial gemstones, to India. It is unclear whether he did so. CNN has contacted Mamdani’s office.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill also attended and met with the King.
Chicken and Winnie the Pooh
The king and queen spent most of the afternoon apart, with Charles heading to Harlem to visit an urban farm and Camilla heading to the New York Public Library.
King Charles is a long-time environmentalist and sustainability advocate, so his visit to the nonprofit organization Harlem Grown was fitting. This community organization works to transform abandoned urban land into sustainable farms, with the aim of addressing the challenges of families’ systemic health, education, and well-being.
The monarch also got some hands-on experience at the farm, including feeding chickens in a chicken coop with several children.
At a literary event at a library across town, Camilla met some notable writers and readers.
Among them was Sarah Jessica Parker, an actress, avid reader, and owner of a publishing press. Also in attendance were Anna Wintour, Vogue’s global editorial director, and Min Jin Lee, a Korean-American author known for the novel “Free Food for Billionaires.”
Camilla came to the library with a special gift. It’s a new Lou doll to complete a collection of toys inspired by AA Milne’s Winnie the Pooh stories.
The original Roo had been missing for a long time, so Camilla brought in a replica to join Pooh, Eeyore, Piglet, Tigger and Roo’s mother, Kanga, who was donated to the library about 40 years ago.
CNN’s Elise Hammond and Maureen Chaudhry contributed to this report.
