WASHINGTON, USA: Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived in the United States on Monday for a four-day official visit. They were welcomed by President Donald Trump, who has called himself a royal fan.
This state visit is the most important and high-profile trip of Charles’s time as king. It marks 250 years since the U.S. declared independence from British rule. It is also the first visit to the United States by a British monarch in 20 years.
🚨 NOW: King Charles and Queen Camilla have ARRIVED in the United States for their state visit with President Trump
47 even gave them a warm MILITARY band welcome at Joint Base Andrews
They’ll be arriving at the White House to meet with President Trump later this afternoon.… pic.twitter.com/UDyFTs5RgB
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) April 27, 2026
Charles and Camilla landed at Joint Base Andrews, where they were received by diplomats, state and federal officials, and senior members of the British embassy. Children from British military families living in the United States gave them flowers.
The royal couple then went to the White House. President Trump and his wife, Melania, welcomed Charles and Queen Camilla at the White House. The two couples had tea together and later looked at a new beehive shaped like the White House. The king keeps beehives at his home in England because he cares deeply about the environment.
Political problems between Trump and UK’s leader
The visit is happening at a difficult time. President Trump has been criticizing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for not joining U.S. military strikes against Iran. Trump said Starmer is “not Winston Churchill,” the famous British prime minister who first called the U.S.-U.K. bond a “special relationship.”
Trump has also called other U.S. allies “cowards” and “useless” for not supporting action against Iran. A leaked Pentagon email even suggested the U.S. might reconsider its support for Britain’s control over the Falkland Islands, a territory Britain and Argentina fought a war over in 1982.
Even so, Trump says these political problems will not affect the royal visit. He has called Charles his “friend” and a “great guy.” Trump told the BBC that the king’s visit could “absolutely” help fix the relationship between the two countries.
Some wanted the trip canceled
Not everyone is happy about the visit. Ed Davey, a British politician, called Trump “a dangerous and corrupt gangster” and asked the government to cancel the trip. “I really fear for what Trump might say or do while our king is forced to stand by his side,” Davey said.
But Prime Minister Starmer defended the visit, saying the monarchy can help build important ties that last for many years.
Another shadow over the visit is the king’s younger brother, Andrew, who has lost his royal title and is under police investigation because of his friendship with the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Some of Epstein’s victims have asked the king to meet with them, but that seems unlikely.
A historic speech to Congress
The most important moment of the trip will come on Tuesday, when King Charles addresses a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress. Only once before has a British monarch done this, Queen Elizabeth II in 1991.
Welcome to the USA, Your Majesties!
King Charles III and Queen Camilla have arrived to honour the American people as the nation marks 250 years of independence.
This is King Charles III’s 20th visit to the United States, and his first State Visit as King. The visit will… pic.twitter.com/wi8Q3OuWsY
— British Embassy Washington (@UKinUSA) April 27, 2026
Experts say the two sides want different things from this visit. For Charles, it is about showing that Britain still has global influence and building long-term friendships. For Trump, it is more about a big media event.
The king is 77 years old. He was diagnosed with cancer in early 2024. He will spend four days in the U.S. with Queen Camilla. Their schedule includes a private tea with the Trumps, a formal state dinner, a visit to the September 11 memorial in New York, and a meeting with Native American leaders who work to protect nature, a cause very close to the king’s heart.
