KingCharles IIIandQueen Camillaare making their first-everstate visitto the U.S., visiting Washington, D.C., New York City and Virginia.The royals’ visit comes at a heightened time, following ashooting incidentoutside the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner and amid newstrainsbetween the U.K. and the U.S. over the war in Iran. It’s also happening under the shadow of Charles' brotherAndrew Mountbatten-Windsor'sconnection to the ongoingEpstein scandal.
During the visit, Charles will deliver a rare joint address to Congress and there will be a state dinner at the White House.
Latest Developments
Apr 28, 10:55 AMKing Charles, Queen Camilla arrive for ceremonial welcome at White House
King Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived at the South Portico of the White House for a formal state arrival ceremony. They are being greeted by President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump.Notable officials are gathered on the White House South Lawn in rainy weather for the ceremony that will include a review of the troops, remarks by Trump and more.
Apr 28, 10:09 AMStrained US-UK alliance in spotlight amid state visit
President Trump is hosting King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the White House as the "special relationship" between the United States and the United Kingdom is under a microscope amid the war with Iran.While Trump has repeatedly praised King Charles as a "friend" whom he's known for years, his relationship with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been another story. The president has repeatedly assailed the U.K. and other NATO allies over the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran.Trump said the visit from the king -- the U.K.'s constitutional and ceremonial head of state -- may help restore any damaged ties between the two allies."Absolutely. He's fantastic. He's a fantastic man. Absolutely the answer is yes," Trump told the BBC in a phone interview when asked if the visit could help repair the relationship.Read morehere.-ABC News' Nicholas Kerr
Apr 28, 10:05 AMKing Charles to be welcomed at White House: What to expect
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump will welcome Great Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the White House South Lawn later this morning.Thousands of guests are anticipated to be in attendance, including Cabinet officials, U.S. and U.K. delegations, members of Congress, students from the British International School of Washington and more.The official arrival of the king and queen will begin with a traditional military arrival ceremony by the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, a "tradition that dates back to the 18th century," the first lady’s office said. The national anthems of both countries will then be played by the U.S. Marine Band, followed by the Presidential Salute Battery rendering a 21-gun cannon salute."Following an Inspection of the Troops and a Troop in Review, facilitated by the U.S. Army Fife and Drum Corps, the President will deliver remarks from the South Lawn," the first lady's office said in a press release.-ABC News' Emily Chang
Apr 27, 6:41 PMCharles, Camilla view White House beehive
Charles and Camilla were shown the White House beehive by President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump during their visit Monday.Videos sharedon social mediaby a top White House aide show the president and first lady and the king and queen inspecting a new White House-shaped beehive that is part of an expansion announced by the first lady last week.Two other beehives have been on the south grounds of the White House since 2009,according toThe Associated Press.
Apr 27, 4:45 PMRoyals arrive at the White House
King Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived at the White House. The king and queen were greeted by President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump on a red carpet outside the White House after landing at Joint Base Andrews earlier today.The couples posed for photos briefly.
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Apr 27, 3:30 PMBritish Embassy shares behind-the-scenes garden party prep
The British Embassy shared abehind-the-scenes look onMonday at how it is preparing for a garden party welcoming Charles and Camilla to the U.S.The garden party, hosted at the embassy residence in Washington, D.C., will include 650 guests who will snack on four types of tea sandwiches as well as scones and desserts.The embassy’s head chef said the team is preparing nearly 3,000 tea sandwiches for the party.
Apr 27, 3:06 PMThe king and queen greet UK ambassador
Charles and Camilla were greeted by the U.K. ambassador and two children with posies as they deplaned on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews.
Apr 27, 2:43 PMThe king and queen arrive in the US
Their plane landed at Joint Base Andrews moments ago.
Apr 27, 1:34 PMA look back at King Charles' trips to America
King Charles has visited the United States 19 times before but today will mark his first state visit as a monarch.Charles’ first trip to the U.S. was in 1970 when the 21-year-old Prince of Wales traveled with his sister Princess Anne and were guests of the Nixons.
Charles also traveled to Los Angeles in 1974 where he met and struck up a friendship with Barbra Streisand.
In 1985 Charles, accompanied by Princess Diana, met the Reagans at the White House. It was on this trip that Diana famously danced with John Travolta.In 2005 Charles took Camilla to see the Bushes on their first official overseas trip since their marriage, and in 2015 the couple returned to the White House as guests of the Obamas.This trip will have echoes of previous royal visits when Charles' mother, Queen Elizabeth II, visited the United States in July 1976 for the 200th anniversary of American independence. More recently, in 1991 Elizabeth became the first British monarch to address Congress.
Apr 27, 12:42 PMWill Epstein scandal linger over royals' visit?
The royals' visit to the U.S. comes amid the ongoingJeffrey Epstein scandalthat has rocked both sides of the Atlantic and directly entangled the royal family.Charles' younger brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor wasarrestedin February on suspicion of misconduct in public office following theemergence of documentsfrom the U.S. Department of Justice’s files detailing communication between Mountbatten-Windsor and the late Epstein, a convicted sex offender.Charles, Camilla and other members of the royal family have faced heckling at public events in the U.K. over the family’s handling of Andrew. Following his brother’s arrest,Charles saidauthorities have the palace’s “wholehearted support and cooperation,” adding, "Let me state clearly: the law must take its course."The former prince has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, and has not been charged.
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