King Charles and Queen Camilla meet Trump and first lady Melania Trump at the White House
This version of King Charles Trump Us Visit Live Updates Rcna342257 - Politics and Government | NBC News Clone was adapted by NBC News Clone to help readers digest key facts more efficiently.
Charles and Camilla later attended a garden party at the British ambassador's residence in Washington, an event first held for King George VI in 1939.
What to know today
- ROYAL ARRIVAL: King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrived in Washington today to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence from British rule and emphasize the close ties between the two countries.
- SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP: The visit follows President Donald Trump's trip to the United Kingdom in September for an unprecedented second state visit, where he received a royal welcome like no other.
- TODAY'S EVENTS: Trump and first lady Melania Trump greeted Charles and Camilla at the White House. They then attended a garden party this afternoon at the British ambassador's residence, an event first held for King George VI in 1939.
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Royals mingle with U.S. officials at British Embassy garden party
Charles and Camilla met with numerous U.S. officials today at a garden party hosted by the British Embassy in Washington.
Charles and Camilla walked down the embassy steps alongside British Ambassador Christian Turner and his wife. There, a choir sang “God Save the King,” followed by the “Star-Spangled Banner.”
Charles shook hands with House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who told the king he will be received “very well” in Congress tomorrow for his address, and called him “the only bipartisan king we have.” He also said hello to Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and his family.
Camilla shook hands and smiled with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. She also greeted Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller.
Who is King Charles III?
Charles assumed the throne after Queen Elizabeth II died in 2022, when he was 73, making him the oldest king to become head of the monarchy.
Charles married Princess Diana in 1981, and the couple had two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. They divorced in 1996, and Diana was killed in a car crash a year later. He married now-Queen Camilla in 2005.
The king first visited the U.S. in 1970, when he met then-President Richard Nixon at the White House.
King Charles is an advocate for the environment and has warned against the dangers of pollution. He is also interested in architecture and painting, and flew helicopters and jets during his time serving in the military.
Vance expected to attend King Charles' address to Congress
Vice President JD Vance is expected to attend King Charles’ address to a joint session of Congress tomorrow 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.
Charles and Camilla attend garden party at British Embassy
The king and queen have arrived at the British Embassy in Washington for a garden party with the U.K. ambassador to the U.S.
The royals headed to the embassy after having tea with the Trumps at the White House.
Charles has visited the U.S. at least 19 times, but this marks his first as monarch
King Charles has visited the United States at least 19 times, but this week’s trip to Washington is his first official state visit since ascending the throne in 2022 after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
The Prince of Wales during a visit to the Crenshaw neighborhood of South Los Angeles in 1994. Vinnie Zuffante / Getty Images
Charles has met 10 of 14 past U.S. presidents, the first being President Dwight Eisenhower when he was just 10 years old, at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
The king visited the U.S. for the first time in 1970 when he was 21 years old. His 1985 tour with Princess Diana was notable and famously included Diana dancing with actor John Travolta at a White House dinner.
Prince Charles and singer Barbra Streisand in Los Angeles in 1974. Mark Sennet / Getty Images file
The last official visit by a British monarch was in 2007, by Queen Elizabeth. She is also the last royal to address Congress.
Charles during basketball drills at the Harlem Children's Zone in New York City in 2007. The shot was successful. Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images file
Trumps greet Charles and Camilla at White House
The king and queen have arrived at the White House, where they were greeted at the South Portico by the president and first lady.
Trump shook hands with Charles and Camilla, and the royals both greeted the first lady with kisses on the cheek.
The four posed for pictures together, with the president and king exchanging pleasantries before heading inside for tea.
Charles and Camilla touch down
Charles and Camilla have arrived in the U.S., landing at Joint Base Andrews before 3 p.m. ET.
They were greeted by U.S. Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley and the British ambassador to the U.S., Christian Turner.
A band performed both the British and American national anthems while they waited to enter their vehicle en route to the White House.
Which kings and queens have addressed Congress?
Charles will address a joint meeting of Congress tomorrow, 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.
How often do kings and queens address Congress?
Not that often. Charles will be only the second British monarch to address Congress, following in the footsteps of his mom, the late Queen Elizabeth II, who was the first and only British monarch to address Congress in 1991.
There have been 132 addresses to Congress by foreign leaders, but it is more rare for a monarch to do so. Most of those speeches have been by presidents and prime ministers.
Here are the 10 monarchs who have addressed Congress:
- Dec. 18, 1874 — King Kalākaua of Hawaii
- April 3, 1952 — Queen Juliana of the Netherlands
- May 12, 1959 — King Baudouin of Belgium
- April 28, 1960 — King Mahendra of Nepal
- June 29, 1960 — King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand
- June 2, 1976- King Juan Carlos I of Spain
- April 21, 1982 — Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands
- May 16, 1991 — Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.
- July 26, 1994 — King Hussein of Jordan
- March 7, 2007 — King Abdullah II of Jordan
What about other visits to the Capitol by British monarchs?
Queen Elizabeth II also visited the Capitol in 1976 for the American bicentennial and attended a luncheon that Congress held for her in Statuary Hall. She did not give a formal address that year.
The king’s grandparents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, made history in 1939 as the first reigning British monarchs to set foot in the United States. That trip included a visit to the Capitol but not a speech.
What did Queen Elizabeth II's address look like in 1991?
As the queen walked down the center aisle of a packed House chamber, members mostly refrained from reaching out to shake her hand as they usually do when presidents arrive for the State of the Union.
Elizabeth spoke for roughly 15 minutes and ended by saying “May God Bless America.”
The queen was allowed to wear a hat in the chamber, which was typically prohibited. Her husband, Prince Philip, was seated on the rostrum to follow royal etiquette, instead of in the gallery where the president’s spouse typically sits.
Elizabeth also faced protests by members of Congress. Several Irish-American lawmakers, including Rep. Joseph Kennedy II, D-Mass., boycotted her speech to protest the British policy in Northern Ireland.
Royal family posts photos of prior British monarchs' visits to the U.S.
The British royal family posted a series of photos on Instagram of royals visiting the U.S. to mark the start of the king and queen’s visit to Washington.
“Later today, The King and Queen will arrive in Washington DC for a four-day State Visit to the USA,” the post said. “For decades, the Royal Family have made visits to the United States to honour the significance of the historic UK-US relationship.”
The photos included the now-King Charles making his first trip to the U.S. in 1970. Queen Elizabeth II visited the U.S. in 1976 to honor the 200th anniversary of the U.S. The king and queen’s visit this year comes as the nation celebrates 250 years since it declared independence from Britain.
“The visit will be an opportunity to recognise the centuries of history shared by our two nations and the connections between us today,” the text on one of the photos said.
Charles and Camilla contacted Trump and the first lady after the White House Correspondents' Association dinner incident
Charles and Camilla reached out privately to Trump and Melania Trump to express their concern and sympathies for Saturday night’s incident at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, according to a source familiar with the development.
They also shared they were grateful that law enforcement and security officers responded so quickly, the source added.
The British royals are expected to arrive in Washington, D.C., today.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said in a statement yesterday that Charles is being kept informed about developments.
“As you would expect, a number of discussions will be taking place throughout the day to discuss with U.S. colleagues and our respective teams to what degree the events of Saturday evening may or may not impact on the operational planning for the Visit,” the spokesperson said.
What's on Charles' D.C. schedule today?
Charles and Camilla will arrive at Joint Base Andrews today, where they'll be greeted by U.S. Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley and the British ambassador to the U.S., Christian Turner.
The visiting couple will receive posies from children of British military families based in the U.S. before being greeted by diplomatic, federal and state representatives, including senior members of the British Embassy in Washington.
Charles and Camilla will proceed through an honor cordon of U.S. military personnel and will be played the British and American national anthems by the U.S. military band.
They will head to the White House South Portico where they'll be greeted by Trump and Melania Trump, followed by tea inside and then a visit to the White House beehives outside.
This evening, the Trumps and the visitors will attend a garden party at the British ambassador's residence, which first hosted the event in June 1939 for King George VI.
Trump got a royal welcome like no other at his second state visit to Britain last year
Trump was granted a royal welcome like no other by Charles and senior royals at Windsor Castle during his unprecedented second state visit in September.
The U.K.’s largest military ceremony for a visiting foreign leader in living memory brought out 1,300 military personnel, 120 horses and the full weight of Britain’s ceremonial traditions to welcome him.
Royal charm: Charles’ visit seeks to win round Trump and reset a souring relationship
More than two centuries after the 13 colonies rebelled against King George III and sent his redcoats packing, a direct descendant of that monarch will arrive today in Washington to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence from British rule.
Charles’ mission, which he has chosen to accept: repairing what’s known in Britain as the “special relationship” with the United States, ties that have been significantly tested under Trump.
