Published April 27, 2026
Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived in the United States for a four-day trip that has gained added attention amid tensions between the close allies following the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner shooting.
Monday afternoon’s state visit is the highest-profile and most significant event of Charles’s reign so far, marking the 250th anniversary of the United States’ declaration of independence from British rule and the first visit by a British monarch to the country in 20 years.
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Charles and Camilla landed at Joint Base Andrews at around 2:30pm (18:30 GMT), where they were greeted by diplomats, state and federal officials, and British Embassy officials, and received flowers from children of British military families in the US.
The king, wearing a navy suit, and the queen, wearing a pink dress, stood on the tarmac as a military band played the British and American national anthems before heading to the White House for a private meeting with President Donald Trump, a self-described fan of the royal family.
The week’s schedule also includes a speech at the U.S. Congress, a lavish state dinner at the White House and a stop in New York City.
Press dinner shoot a few days before the visit
The long-planned trip comes amid political tensions between the US and Israel over their war on Iran, with Trump expressing strong frustration with the British government for not backing the attack.
The shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington on Saturday has cast further cloud over the visit, with U.S. officials saying the president and members of his administration were likely targets.
Buckingham Palace announced on Sunday that the king was “deeply relieved to hear that the President, First Lady and all their guests are safe.” After security checks, the palace announced that the trip “proceeds as planned.”
President Trump criticizes UK over Iran stance
Once in Washington, the king and queen will have a private tea with the president and his wife, first lady Melania Trump, an unabashed mistress of the British royal family who regularly describes Prince Charles as a “great person.”
The 77-year-old king is still undergoing cancer treatment, which began in February 2024, and will address Parliament the next day, making it the second time a British monarch has spoken.
The royal couple will then head to New York City to pay tribute to those who died in the September 11, 2001 attacks ahead of the 25th anniversary, and the Queen will also commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Winnie the Pooh fairy tale.
The US visit concludes with the King meeting with environmentalists in Virginia, paying homage to the King’s half-century of environmental activism.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government hopes the visit will strengthen the future of the two countries’ “special relationship,” which is currently at its lowest level since the 1956 Suez crisis.
British Ambassador to the US Christian Turner said the visit would highlight the shared history, sacrifices and shared values between the two countries, adding that it would be a very British approach of “keep calm and carry on”.
President Trump has softened his criticism of Britain over its handling of the Iran war in recent days, but internal Pentagon emails setting out how the United States could review its position on Britain’s claim to the Falkland Islands further strain relations as punishment for Britain’s lack of support.
“President Trump has always had great respect for King Charles, and the president’s historic visit to the United Kingdom last year further strengthened our relationship,” White House press secretary Anna Kelly told The Associated Press. “The President is looking forward to a special visit…which will include a beautiful state dinner and multiple events throughout the week.”
Meanwhile, President Trump told the BBC that the king’s visit could “absolutely” help mend transatlantic relations.
One issue that was off the table during the visit was the scandal surrounding convicted American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Royal officials said the king and queen were not allowed to meet Epstein’s victims during their tour, as some had requested, to avoid potential criminal repercussions.
Charles’ younger brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, whose fame and royal status fell into disrepair over his links to the late Epstein, is currently under police investigation over his links. Former Prince Andrew denies any wrongdoing.
