By Sean Coughlan, Royal correspondent, Washington DC
6 hours ago
King Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived in the United States for a four-day state visit, the first full state trip by a British monarch since Queen Elizabeth II visited in 2007. The couple landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland and were formally welcomed at the White House by President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump amid heightened security following a shooting at an event attended by the president over the weekend.
The King is due to address a joint session of the US Congress on Tuesday, where royal aides say he will offer sympathy over the recent attack and stress that, despite occasional disagreements, the United Kingdom and the United States repeatedly find ways to come together. He is expected to emphasize the need to stand united in the face of major global challenges, defend democratic values and press for a renewal of the transatlantic partnership built on shared commitments to tolerance, liberty and equality. Officials say he will urge support for collective security mechanisms such as NATO and for continued aid to Ukraine, framing the alliance as grounded in generosity, compassion and respect for people of all faiths and none.
At Joint Base Andrews, the royal couple were met on the runway by the US chief of protocol, Monica Crowley, and the British ambassador to the US, Sir Christian Turner, among other officials. Two children of UK service personnel stationed in the US presented flowers and a band played both national anthems. The King and Queen then met the Trumps on the South Portico, had tea in the White House’s Green Room and inspected a newly rebuilt beehive in the White House garden — fashioned as a miniature White House — a deliberate piece of soft diplomacy for a monarch known for his interest in beekeeping.
The state visit, organised on behalf of the UK government, is being used to strengthen ties as the US prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of independence. Queen Camilla wore a brooch combining the British and American flags that had once been given to the late Queen Elizabeth II by the mayor of New York during a 1957 visit — a symbolic reminder of past efforts to repair and reinforce the relationship after the Suez crisis.
Later the royal couple attended a crowded garden reception at the British embassy in Washington for more than 600 guests with links to both countries, including figures from politics, science, charitable organisations and the armed forces. Traditional refreshments such as sandwiches and scones were served; the beef sandwiches were made with the first tariff-free shipment of British beef following a recently negotiated trade arrangement.
Among those at the embassy event were former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senator Ted Cruz and UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. Queen Camilla spent part of the afternoon meeting women involved in campaigns against domestic abuse; campaigners said the queen’s engagement with the issue was meaningful and helped raise its profile.
There had been public calls for the King and Queen to meet survivors of Jeffrey Epstein, but plans for such meetings were not pursued amid concerns about potential impact on ongoing legal matters. Epstein survivor Rina Oh told the BBC she would welcome the chance for the monarch to hear survivors’ accounts and noted that recognition from a high-profile visitor could be powerful.
On Tuesday, following a ceremonial military welcome at the White House, the King will speak to both houses of Congress — the first monarch to do so since Elizabeth II addressed Congress in 1991. The visit comes amid a patchy period in US–UK relations, with tensions later highlighted by President Trump’s criticism of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer over the UK’s reluctance to become involved in the conflict in Iran.
A state dinner at the White House will cap the visit, with President Trump expected to deliver a speech and guests from politics and entertainment on both sides of the Atlantic in attendance. Organisers say the programme is intended to showcase the breadth of the bilateral relationship and to renew goodwill between the two nations.