White House hosts state dinner for Charles and Camilla after the king's speech to Congress

Charles talked about the two countries’ NATO ties, saying that in the 20th century the U.S. helped rebuild a shattered European continent, “playing a decisive role as a defender of freedom in Europe.”

“I shall never forget that, not least as freedom is again under attack following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” the king said.

King Charles speaks on NATO partnership during toast

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“Today, our partnerships in NATO and AUKUS deepen our technological and military cooperation and ensure that together we can meet the challenges of an increasingly complex and contested world,” Charles added, referring to a trilateral security partnership among the U.S., the U.K. and Australia.

King Charles III presents a bell with the inscription "Trump 1944" as a gift to Trump at the state dinner Tuesday. Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images

Charles then gave Trump the original bell from a British submarine that he said was launched from a U.K. shipyard in 1944, called the H.M.S. Trump.

“Tonight, Mr. President, I am delighted to present to you as a personal gift, the original bell which hung on the conning tower of your valiant namesake. May it stand as a testimony to our nation’s shared history and shining future. And should you ever need to get hold of us, just give us a ring,” he joked.

Charles commented on Trump's demolition of the East Wing of the White House, where he pis seeking to build a 90,000-square-foot ballroom.

"I cannot help noticing the readjustments to the East Wing, Mr. President, following your visit to Windsor Castle last year," Charles said.

"I'm sorry to say that we British, of course, made our own small attempt at real estate redevelopment of the White House in 1814," he joked, in reference to when British troops set fire to the White House during the War of 1812.

Charles began his dinner remarks by talking about the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, telling Trump he wanted to pay “tribute to your own courage and steadfastness, as well as to your security services.”

“As the words of that famous anthem remind us, this is the land of the free and home of the brave,” Charles said. “And your own response demonstrates what used to be called in the last war in the United Kingdom, keep calm and carry on.”

Charles started his remarks to Congress with a similar sentiment.

Trump briefly discussed the Iran war during his state dinner remarks, a point of contention between the U.S. and U.K.

"We're doing a little Middle East work right now," Trump said. "We’re doing very well. We have militarily defeated that particular opponent, and we’re never going to let that opponent ever — Charles agrees with me even more than I do — we’re never going to let that opponent have a nuclear weapon."

Trump speaks about Iran war while toasting King Charles

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Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO allies, including the U.K., for not offering the military support he has been seeking in the Iran war. He has specifically bashed British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, calling him "no Winston Churchill."

Trump started his toast at the state dinner by complimenting Charles on his speech to Congress, saying he “couldn’t believe” the king's remarks prompted Democrats to stand in applause.

Britain's King Charles III at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday.  Henry Nicholls / Pool via Samir Hussein/WireImage

“I’ve never been able to do that. I couldn’t believe it,” Trump said. “They liked him more than they’ve ever liked any Republican or Democrat, actually.”

The guest list for tonight's state dinner consists of U.S. officials from all three branches of government, as well as several prominent Fox News hosts.

Much of Trump's Cabinet is on the list, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and Sens. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., are among the lawmakers in attendance this evening.

The White House also extended invitations to several hosts from Fox News, including Jesse Watters, Laura Ingraham, Bret Baier and Greg Gutfeld, as well as Maria Bartiromo of Fox Business.

Here's the full guest list shared by the first lady's office:

As the royals posed for photos alongside the Trumps, the president pointed at Charles and said: "He made a great speech. I was very jealous."

Charles gave an address to a joint session of Congress this afternoon, when he reaffirmed the "special" relationship between the U.S. and the U.K.

The royals have arrived at the White House for a state dinner in their honor tonight.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive the White House on Tuesday. Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images

Both Trump and the king are expected to give toasts.

The menu for the state dinner tonight hosting Charles and Camilla will feature dishes highlighting specialties from the White House itself, including a beehive-inspired dessert and produce from the garden.

Following a first course of various vegetables, including garden vegetable velouté and micro mint, the second course consists of a spring herbed ravioli with herbs from the White House Kitchen Garden. The pasta will be filled ricotta cheese and morels.

A place setting at the White House on Tuesday. Chris Jackson / Getty Images

The dinner's third course is described as "a classic dover sole meunière, expertly prepared and bathed in a nutty brown butter." It includes Dover sole meunière, potato pavé, spring ramps, snow peas and parsley oil.

The meal will conclude with a dessert that pays homage to the beehive kept on the White House grounds. The menu describes a "sweet beehive shaped chocolate gâteau with a smooth vanilla bean crémeux custard, delicately set inside with an almond joconde." The dessert will be served with crème fraîche ice cream and White House honey.

Here's the full menu shared by the first lady's office:

Trump wanted the new West Wing colonnade project completed in time for Charles and Camilla’s visit, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Trump last month decided to replace Tennessee flagstone pavers in the colonnade with black granite, which he told reporters last week came from Italy, via Africa.

The pavers are one of many recent changes and renovations Trump has made to the White House since he returned to office.

White House communications director Steven Cheung said about the new pavers: “Looks much better! The White House is a more aesthetically pleasing place with these upgrades.”

Charles was "greatly touched" by the warm response to his speech before Congress today, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said.

"The king was deeply honoured to have been invited to be the first British king to give such an address and was greatly touched by the warmth and generosity of the response he received," the spokesperson said in a statement.

Charles is now meeting with technology entrepreneurs and leaders in the Lee Drawing Room at Blair House in Washington. The tech giants set to meet with him include Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and Ruth Porat, the president and chief information officer of Alphabet, the parent company of Google.

Charles wished to acknowledge the survivors of abuse, including Jeffrey Epstein’s victims, when he said these words in his address to Congress, according to a palace aide: 

“In both of our countries, it is the very fact of our vibrant, diverse and free societies that gives us our collective strength, including to support victims of some of the ills that, so tragically, exist in both our societies today.”

The first rule of public speaking: Know your audience.

Charles did his homework for today. He was eloquent, he was funny, he was thoughtful, and he was incredibly respectful.

He started his comments by saying the U.S. Congress was a citadel of democracy, created to represent the voices of all the American people to advance sacred rights and freedoms. He got a standing ovation when he said the bond of kinship between the U.S. and the U.K. is priceless and eternal, irreplaceable and unbreakable.

King Charles III addresses a joint meeting of Congress today. Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

One wonders whether Charles was sending a subtle, or maybe not-so-subtle, message to Trump when he said America’s words carry weight and meaning.

When Charles said that, there was a hush, almost a gasp, from the Democratic side of the chamber. The moment clearly resonated with certain members of Congress in the room.

Charles did not stray from his prepared remarks to Congress, striking a contrast with Trump or even former President Bill Clinton, who are known to go off script when they deliver similar addresses.

Charles finished his speech to Congress, during which he celebrated the shared history of the U.S. and U.K. He is shaking hands with members of Congress as he departs the chamber.

Charles calls on the U.S. to help defend Ukraine and NATO

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Charles made an explicit call for the U.S. to help fund defense for Ukraine, comparing the situation to NATO’s support of the U.S. following 9/11.

“Today, Mr. Speaker, that same, unyielding resolve is needed for the defense of Ukraine and her most courageous people. It is needed in order to secure a truly just and lasting peace,” Charles said.

“From the depths of the Atlantic to the disastrously melting ice caps of the Arctic, the commitment and expertise of the United States armed forces and its allies lie at the heart of NATO, pledged to each other’s defense, protecting our citizens and interests, keeping North Americans and Europeans safe from our common adversaries," he added.

His call was met by some applause in the chamber, including from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who turned back to grin at an applauding Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H.

Leading U.S. officials, including Vice President JD Vance, have criticized U.S. support for Ukraine in its war against Russia.

In his remarks before Congress, Charles emphasized the importance of the U.S.-U.K. so-called special relationship and NATO as both alliances have been on shaky ground during the Trump administration.

"The alliance that our two nations have built over the centuries, and for which we are profoundly grateful to the American people, is truly unique," he said, adding that it's "more important today than it has ever been."

The king said the alliance is now in an era that's "more volatile and more dangerous than the world" was when his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, spoke to Congress in 1991.

Charles recognized the shared history of the U.S. and U.K., joking that he was not visiting Washington, D.C., as "part of some cunning rear guard action."

"This is a city which symbolizes a period in our shared history, or what Charles Dickens might have called a tale of two Georges — the first president, George Washington, and my five times great grandfather, King George III," he continued.

"King George, as you know, never set foot in America. And please rest assured, ladies and gentlemen, I am not here as part of some cunning rear guard action," Charles joked.

Charles remarked that the relationship between the U.S. and the U.K. was “born out of dispute, but no less strong for it.”

“With a spirit of 1776, in our minds, we can perhaps agree that we do not always agree, at least in the first instance,” Charles said.

“Indeed, the very principle on which your Congress was founded — no taxation without representation — was at once a fundamental disagreement between us. And at the same time, a shared democratic value which you inherited from us,” he added.

Charles’ mention of disagreement between the two historically close allies comes as the U.S. and the U.K. are at odds over the Iran war.

Charles joked in his speech about how much younger the U.S. is compared with the U.K.

"The Founding Fathers were bold and imaginative rebels with a cause. 250 years ago — or, as we say in the United Kingdom, just the other day," he said, prompting laughter from lawmakers.

"They declared independence by balancing contending forces and drawing strength in diversity. They united 13 disparate colonies to forge a nation on the revolutionary idea of 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,'" he added.

King Charles III addresses a joint meeting of Congress today. Kylie Cooper / Pool via AP

Toward the top of his remarks to Congress, Charles spoke briefly about the incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday, allegedly the third assassination attempt on Trump.

"We meet in times of great uncertainty; in times of conflict from Europe to the Middle East which pose immense challenges for the international community and whose impact is felt in communities the length and breadth of our own countries," he told lawmakers.

He continued: "We meet, too, in the aftermath of the incident not far from this great building that sought to harm the leadership of your nation and to foment wider fear and discord. Let me say with unshakeable resolve: Such acts of violence will never succeed. Whatever our differences, whatever disagreements we may have, we stand united in our commitment to uphold democracy, to protect all our people from harm and to salute the courage of those who daily risk their lives in the service of our countries."

King Charles on WHCD shooting: ‘Such acts of violence will never succeed’

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Charles began his speech by recognizing the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, which was received with applause from the chamber.

“For all of that time, our destinies as nations have been interlinked. As Oscar Wilde said, we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, language,” Charles said.

Charles and Camilla just entered the chamber, where he will give his remarks.

Cabinet members are in the room along with members of Congress. Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson are at the podium, ready to hear his remarks.

Charles will address a joint meeting of Congress today, becoming only the second British monarch to do so.

Here’s a look back at the history of royal speeches to Congress.

Why is Charles speaking to Congress?

Congressional leaders invited Charles to share his vision “for the future of our special relationship and reaffirm our alliance at this pivotal time in history.” The king’s speech comes during the 250th anniversary of America’s independence from British rule.

Is this a joint meeting or a joint session?

This is a joint meeting of Congress, not a joint session. The House adopted a measure by unanimous consent giving House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., the authority to hold a joint meeting. 

Joint sessions are typically reserved for addresses from the president or to certify electoral votes. Joint meetings, like this one, take place when foreign dignitaries address Congress. Here’s more about the difference.

Aaron Chown / Pool via Getty Images

Trump meets with Charles in the Oval Office this morning as British Ambassador Christian Turner, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio look on.

Aaron Chown / Pool via Getty Images

Trump says he had a 'good meeting' with Charles

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Asked how she was doing after Saturday night's shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, Melania Trump said, "Very well, thank you."

Separately, the president praised Charles, saying in video captured by NBC News that the monarch is a "fantastic person" and that the two had a "really good meeting."

"They're incredible people and it's a real honor," he added.

When Charles' state visit was officially announced in March, a Buckingham Palace official told NBC News that the royals would not be able to meet Jeffrey Epstein survivors following legal advice that it could risk prejudicing British police investigations and any future legal action.

That includes the probe into the king’s brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, over accusations of misconduct in public office in connection with allegations of sharing confidential trade documents with Epstein. Andrew also faced allegations of sexual abuse from Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre and settled the case for an undisclosed amount in 2022 without admitting wrongdoing.

The former prince, who was stripped of his title over the allegations, has denied all the accusations against him and has said he regretted his friendship with Epstein, which continued after the late financier was convicted for soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2008. In addition, multiple U.K. police forces have said they are assessing Epstein-related allegations against Andrew. 

“We fully understand and appreciate the survivors’ and their advocates’ position, but can only reiterate that anything arising from such meeting that could potentially impact on ongoing police inquiries and assessments, and any potential legal action that could result from that, would be to the detriment of the survivors themselves in their pursuit of justice,” a palace spokesperson said ahead of the visit.

Speaking at a roundtable event with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse, Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said he was disappointed the king is not meeting with survivors, but that he's been told he'd acknowledge them during his address to Congress.

Khanna said he'd requested the king meet with survivors because "I thought the king owed that to the survivors given his brother's serious allegations of abuse," referring to Charles' brother, Andrew. The former prince has denied any criminal wrongdoing but has been stripped of his royal titles as a result of the allegations.

Khanna said Charles "unfortunately declined" the request for a meeting, but that he spoke to the British ambassador, who suggested the king "will acknowledge the Epstein survivors in his address to Congress today."

Trump, the first lady, Charles and Camilla departed the stage and ascended the steps to a White House balcony.

They watched the troops before them, and the president and the king chatted with each other out of hearing range. The military band continued playing as troops marched across the White House's South Lawn.

After waving to the crowd, Trump, the first lady, and the king and queen departed into the White House, where the president and Charles will hold a bilateral meeting this morning.

President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla on the White House balcony. Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images

Trump remembered Queen Elizabeth II in his speech, saying he had the privilege of getting to know her.

"We see today a living symbol of this centuries-old bond, just a few dozen feet to the left," he said, referring to a tree the late queen planted on White House grounds in 1991.

"Queen Elizabeth II — very, very special woman who is very greatly missed on both sides of that mighty Atlantic — long ago planted a young tree, was a very young and beautiful tree, and look at it now," he said.

Trump is delivering remarks honoring Charles and the long history between their two countries. The president said in his remarks that it might seem "ironic" that the U.S. is honoring the British king as the country marks the 250th anniversary of American independence.

"In fact, no tribute could be more appropriate," he said in remarks on the South Lawn. "Long before Americans had a nation or a Constitution, we first had a culture, a character and a creed, before we ever proclaimed our independence."

President Donald Trump speaks during an arrival ceremony today. Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images

"Americans carried within us the rarest of gifts moral courage, and it came from a small but mighty kingdom from across the sea for nearly two centuries before the revolution," he said. "This land was settled and forged by men, women who bore in their souls the blood and noble spirit of the British here on a wild and untamed continent. They set loose the ancient English love of liberty and Great Britain's distinctive sense of glory, destiny and pride."

After both countries' national anthems played, Trump and Charles left the stage and walked before a military formation before a "pass in review," the first such formation at the White House.

They returned to the stage, and Trump watched as the troops marched before him.

Trump is now starting his remarks.

President Donald Trump, King Charles III, first lady Melania Trump and Queen Camilla attend a state arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House today. Andrew Harnik / Getty Images

Trump and Charles review the troops. Henry Nicholls / Pool via Getty Images

Charles and Camilla have arrived at the White House for a welcome ceremony to kick off a day of festivities. They were greeted by Trump and the first lady, who had walked to the end of a red carpet and stood side by side.

After Charles and Camilla exited the car, the king shook hands with Trump, who laughed at something he said. He greeted the queen next as Charles greeted the first lady.

There was a little confusion over where the king would stand; he went to one side of Camilla first and then stood in the middle with Trump. They exchanged a few words and then stood to pose for a photo.

As they stood, a military band performed the national anthems of the United Kingdom and the United States.

Later today, Charles will deliver an address to Congress.

Trump greets Charles and Camilla at the White House

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A pre-arrival ceremony is taking place at the White House now as Trump and the first lady arrive and await Charles and Camilla.

Musicians from parts of the U.S. armed forces are performing outside the White House along the South Portico, standing along the balcony and both sides of the staircases.

A podium is set up on the South Lawn, with attendees seated in chairs on both sides.

Some people were holding up umbrellas, as it's been a bit rainy at times. A number of women who arrived are wearing fascinators, a headpiece that British women typically wear at formal events.

The construction zone for Trump's White House ballroom, meanwhile, remains active. As the U.S. delegation came onto the South Lawn, a crane moved a large container into place. White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent all appeared to point at it before they took their seats.

The U.S. delegation has walked out of the White House to await the royals' arrival.

The U.S. delegation includes Vice President JD Vance, second lady Usha Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and others.

Other ceremony attendees include Apple's outgoing CEO, Tim Cook, and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang; Reps. Steve Scalise, R-La; Brian Mast, R-Fla; and Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla.; and Govs. Mike DeWine of Ohio and Henry McMaster of South Carolina, both Republicans.

Suzanne Plunkett / Pool / Reuters

Suzanne Plunkett / Reuters

Trump and the first lady hosted Charles and Camilla for afternoon tea at the White House yesterday.

Vice President JD Vance is expected to attend Charles’ address to a joint session of Congress this afternoon, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter told NBC News.

Vance will sit on the dais behind the king, alongside House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. — similar to the setup for the president’s State of the Union address.

Christian Turner, Britain’s ambassador to the U.S., said in a "Fox and Friends" interview that the U.K. and U.S. "share the same objective on Iran" in preventing it from developing a nuclear weapon.

"There was a disagreement originally about the pre-emptive start to the war, but since then, the U.K. has been allowing its bases to be used for U.S. bombers to make defensive strikes," he said. "We’ve had our planes flying alongside the rest of the defensive U.S. systems in the region."

Members of the military will participate in the state arrival ceremony at the White House, according to first lady Melania Trump's office.

They include the United States Marine Band, the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, and U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, as well as honor guards from each branch of the military.

The Herald Trumpets will play “Hail to the Chief” for the introduction of Trump and the first lady, “Jubilant Fanfare” for the arrival of Charles and Camilla, and “Presidential Procession” for the ceremony's conclusion.

A pre-ceremony program will take place on the White House South Lawn and will feature more than 200 performers, the first lady's office said. That program will feature a drum and bugle corps performance.

The ceremony will also include the first "pass in review," a formation in front of leadership, at the White House.

The first lady's office posted a video showing clips of the royals' visit so far.

The video included clips of the first lady with Camilla, Trump and Charles, and the two couples visiting together. The video was overlaid by music and did not include comments from any of the parties.

Charles today will become the second-ever British monarch to address Congress.

His speech comes as he seeks to smooth over the relationship between the U.S. and the U.K., top allies that have faced some tension in recent months.

Charles’ speech is expected to last approximately 20 minutes, according to a Buckingham Palace official. Though his address was written by the U.K. government to support its strategic priorities, the language and tone is “often the king’s own,” according to the official.

At the top of his speech, Charles is expected to address Saturday’s shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, according to the official. The royals called the Trumps to express their concerns about the shooting after the dinner, a source familiar with the matter told NBC News yesterday.

Camilla and Melania Trump are scheduled to have a “cross-cultural educational event” with American students at the White House tennis pavilion, following the royals’ arrival ceremony in the morning.

According to the first lady’s office, the students will use virtual reality headsets to learn about the U.K. and will use artificial intelligence-enabled glasses to evaluate artifacts from the White House collection and the National Archives to learn about American history and its relationship with the U.K.

Trump and the first lady greeted Charles and Camilla at the White House. The four posed for pictures together, with the president and king exchanging pleasantries before heading inside for tea. 

Trump greets Charles and Camilla at White House

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Charles and Camilla started their state visit yesterday by meeting with the Trumps at the White House.

After having tea there, the royals headed to a garden party at the British ambassador’s residence in Washington. There, Charles and Camilla mingled with U.S. officials, including Cabinet members, Trump advisers and U.S. lawmakers.

Though Charles has visited the U.S. at least 19 times, this is his first visit as monarch.