President Trump and First Lady Melania have rolled out the red carpet for British royals King Charles and Queen Camilla in an official welcome on their state visit.
The official arrival will begin with a traditional military ceremony by the US Army Herald Trumpets, followed by national anthems of both countries played by the US Marine Band and a Presidential Salute Battery rendering a 21-gun cannon salute.
Charles and Queen Camilla have a jam-packed schedule for their second day in Washington, DC, which includes a bilateral meeting with Donald Trump, his address to Congress and a formal state dinner.
In a historic address to congress at 3pm, the king is expected to emphasize the two countries’ long history and shared democratic values during his speech in an effort to help strengthen the special UK-US relationship, which has been under serious strain in recent months.
The visit is the most important foreign trip of the King’s reign so far, but it now has the added element of heightened security concerns after an attempted assassination of the president on Saturday at the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
After the royal couple wraps up in DC, they will head to New York to honor 9/11 victims and then to Virginia to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence.
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Trump and Melania roll out the red carpet for royal welcome
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania are giving King Charles and Queen Camilla a grand welcome for their second day at the White House.
The royals will have a traditional military arrival ceremony by the US Army Herald Trumpets, a ‘tradition that dates back to the 18th century,’ the first lady’s office said.
The American and British national anthems will be played by the US 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 US Army Fife and Drum Corps, the President will deliver remarks from the South Lawn,’ the first lady’s office said in a press release.
Outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook spotted at White House
Tim Cook, who recently announced he is stepping down as Apple’s chief executive in September, was spotted at the White House lawn for the British royals’ arrival.
Trump aides arrive for royal welcome
Donald Trump’s top aides, including Vice President JD Vance, his chief of staff Susie Wiles and several cabinet members, have arrived at the White House.
First Lady shares highlights of Monday’s royal visit
First Lady Melania Trump’s office shared a video of the highlights from Monday’s royal visit to the White House.
Pictured: Preparations for rainy royal arrival
Royals bring British weather to DC
Ahead of the ceremony there were gray skies over the South Lawn and a very British drizzle began.
The forecast had been for sun so many of the several hundred guests on the grass had come unprepared.
They huddled under a smattering of umbrellas as they awaited the President and King.
A protective green tarpaulin was placed over the dais, which was positioned in front of the South Portico between a giant flagpole and the presidential putting green.
Despite the gloom overhead, guests including school children enthusiastically waved small Union Jacks as the band played.
British Olympian Tom Daley meets royals
Former British Olympian Tom Daley met the King and Queen at the embassy garden party on Monday.
Daley, who now lives in the United States with his husband, told People that Camilla asked about his children.
‘She asked what I was up to now and told her about my knitting, and she asked about my kids. She couldn’t believe how old they were now,’ he said.
Daley also said he spoke to Charles about knitting.
‘He said he used to knit when he was 8 years old. He said he wasn’t very good at it but said he knew it was very good for mental health and maybe should give it another go.’
British ambassador says ‘we all share the same objective on Iran’
British ambassador to the US Christian Turner said the UK and the US ‘share the same objective on Iran.’
‘There was a disagreement originally about the preemptive start to the war, but since then, the UK has been allowing its bases to be used for US bombers to make defensive strikes,’ he told Fox and Friends this morning.
‘We’ve had our planes flying alongside the rest of the defensive US systems in the region.’
He said that UK wants the war to end and to ‘hopefully get a deal that opens the Straits of Hormuz for all of our economies.’
Royals describe spending time with ‘brilliant people’ at garden party
The Royal Family posted on social media highlighting their time at yesterday’s garden party at the British Embassy.
‘This evening, Their Majesties spent time with brilliant people contributing to the UK-US relationship,’ the Royal Family wrote on X.
‘Hosted at the British Ambassador’s Residence, the first royal event to ever take place here was another Garden Party, held during King George VI and Queen Elizabeth I’s State Visit in 1939.’
King Charles US visit schedule
Here is what’s on the schedule for King Charles and Queen Camilla’s second day in the US.
- 10.35am ET – Royals arrive at the White House
- 11.10am ET – Guestbook signing and official gift exchange
- 11.40am ET – Donald Trump and King Charles participate in a bilateral meeting at the Oval Office
- 11.45am ET – First Lady Melania Trump and Queen Camilla join students in exploring US-UK history through innovation at the White House tennis pavilion
- 3pm ET – King Charles delivers at joint address to Congress
- 7pm ET – Royals return to the White House
- 8.05pm ET – The President and First Lady host the King and Queen for a state dinner
Inside King and Queen’s afternoon sit-down with the US President and First Lady
The US President and First Lady sipped on one of King Charles’ favourite teas as he and Queen Camilla kicked off day one of their state visit.
The royals drank the monarch’s favoured Earl Grey blend and enjoyed cakes and sandwiches as they arrived in Washington, DC for what is expected to be a landmark trip amid strained transatlantic ties.
Washington, DC covered in British flags
The British Embassy in Washington shared photos of British flags lining the streets in the US capital.
‘With Washington bedecked in UK, US, and DC flags, King Charles III and Queen Camilla continue their historic State Visit today!’ the embassy wrote on X.
‘Celebrating America in its 250th year, they will join the President and First Lady for a ceremonial arrival at the White House this morning.
‘In the afternoon, the King will speak to a Joint Session of Congress, a high honour for a visiting head of state. In the evening, Their Majesties will participate in a State Banquet at the White House.’
