All About King Charles and Queen Camilla's U.S. State Visit
All About King Charles and Queen Camilla's U.S. State Visit
Caroline BlairTue, April 28, 2026 at 4:48 PM UTC
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President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Britain's King Charles III and Britain's Queen Camilla pose by a model of Trump's proposed ballroom as they tour the White House beehive on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, on April 27, 2026Credit: Aaron Chown / POOL / AFP via Getty -
King Charles and Queen Camilla are in the U.S. for a state visit celebrating the 250th anniversary of American independence from the United Kingdom
The British royals have a packed schedule, including private and public meetings with President Donald Trump and Melania Trump and a rare address to Congress
The King and Queen will also head to New York City and Virginia
King Charles and Queen Camilla are spending a few days in the United States on official royal business.
The British royals touched down in Maryland, on Monday, April 27, for the beginning of a historic state visit — marking the first one since 2007, when the late Queen Elizabeth ventured to the country.
The trip was scheduled to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence. The couple met with President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump on April 27 and plan to attend more events with them throughout the visit.
King Charles and Queen Camilla will then fly to New York City to pay their respects to the victims of the September 11 attacks. Charles and Camilla will return to Washington to part ways with the Trumps before heading to Virginia on April 30.
Here's everything to know about King Charles and Queen Camilla's U.S. state visit.
Why are King Charles and Queen Camilla visiting the U.S.?
Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump host King Charles III and Queen Camilla for afternoon tea at the White House on day one of their State Visit to the United States of America on April 27, 2026 in Washington, D.C.Credit: Suzanne Plunkett-Pool/Getty
King Charles and Queen Camilla are visiting the U.S. on behalf of the British government as an official state visit. The trip is tied to the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence from the U.K. and intended to celebrate the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
"For us, the real purpose of the visit is its ability to recognize and celebrate, that our partnership ranges well beyond the government of the day. It's about the cultural, historical, economic, people to people links that really bind our two countries together," Sir Christian Turner, British Ambassador to the U.S. explained at a briefing ahead of the trip.
Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace called the visit “an opportunity to recognize the shared history of our two nations; the breadth of the economic, security and cultural relationship that has developed since then; and the deep people-to-people connections which unite communities.”
What is a state visit?
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump greet Queen Camilla and King Charles III on the South Lawn of the White House as they arrive for tea on day one of their State Visit to the United States of America, on April 27, 2026 in Washington, DCCredit: Anna Moneymaker/Getty
A state visit takes place when a head of state (such as a monarch or president) is invited for a high-level, formal visit by another country. There are both inbound and outbound state visits for various countries.
For the U.K. specifically, "Foreign Monarchs, Presidents or Prime Ministers are invited to visit The King on the advice of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office," per Buckingham Palace.
"Likewise invitations are issued to His Majesty to travel overseas via the FCDO [Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office]," the website continues.
Depending on the country welcoming the other officials, there are various formal ceremonies and traditions that signify an official state visit.
Prior to Charles and Camilla visiting the U.S., they welcomed the Trumps for an official state visit to the U.K. in September 2025.
What are King Charles and Queen Camilla doing with the Trumps in Washington, D.C.?
King Charles III and Queen Camilla disembark their plane as they arrive on day one of their State Visit to the United States, on April 27, 2026 at Joint Base Andrews, MarylandCredit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty
The King and Queen are following a strict schedule of official programming for their 2026 state visit. The British royals arrived on the afternoon of Monday, April 27, in Washington, D.C., where they were greeted by children from British military families based in the U.S.
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"We are delighted to welcome Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the United States as we honor our enduring and instrumental diplomatic partnership on the occasion of America's 250th birthday," Ambassador Monica Crowley, U.S. Chief of Protocol said in a statement. "Every aspect of the White House program has been thoughtfully designed by President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to celebrate our rich shared history — and to look forward to the next 250 years of the special relationship."
After arriving, the couple traveled to the White House where they were officially greeted by President Trump and Melania. The American officials held a private tea ceremony followed by a tour of the newly renovated White House.
Later that day, Charles and Camilla attended a garden party — which is significant to British culture — with guests from both of the countries.
Their schedule on Tuesday, April 28, kicked off with a traditional ceremonial military review at the White House. The outdoor event included the two couples watching military bands and a 21-gun salute.
During the formal welcome, Trump shared remarks in which he said it was "a beautiful British day" where "no tribute could be more appropriate," per CBS News.
Following the remarks, the Trumps and the British royals privately exchanged gifts. The couples then separated, with Trump and Charles meeting for a closed-door conversation while Camilla and Melania met with students at an education event.
On the afternoon of April 28, Charles is scheduled to deliver a rare address to Congress — marking only the second time a British monarch has spoken to the politicians (the first being his mother, Queen Elizabeth, in 1991).
The D.C. festivities will conclude with a formal state dinner honoring Charles and Camilla, where both Trump and Charles are expected to give speeches.
What else are King Charles and Queen Camilla doing in the U.S.?
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump host King Charles III and Queen Camilla for afternoon tea at the White House on day one of their State Visit to the United States of America on April 27, 2026 in Washington, D.C.Credit: Francis Dias/Pool - via Samir Hussein/WireImage
Charles and Camilla will then travel north to N.Y.C. to pay respects to the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attack.
From there, the couples will split up again, so the King can visit a grassroots community organization that created a sustainable after-school urban farming initiative in an effort to combat food insecurity. Meanwhile, Camilla will celebrate the 100th birthday of A.A. Milne’s beloved character Winnie the Pooh on behalf of her charity, The Queen’s Reading Room.
The King and Queen's visit in the Big Apple will conclude with a reception honoring their organization, The King's Trust, which benefits young adults across the U.S.
Their official state visit comes to an end on Thursday, April 29, when the royal couple will fly to Virginia to visit Arlington National Cemetery and meet with local Appalachian cultural groups. They will also celebrate America's 250th birthday with a "block party."
From there, Charles and Camilla will depart from the U.S. for a royal visit to Bermuda from May 1 through May 2. The visit marks the first time the King has gone to a British Overseas Territory since taking the throne in 2022.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
