King Charles and Queen Camilla land in the US for historic state visit

King Charles and Queen Camilla have stepped off the plane for their first-ever state visit to the US as monarchs.

The royals will head to the White House to meet with President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.

After they have tea, Charles and Camilla will attend a garden party at the British Embassy.

On Tuesday, the king will deliver an address to Congress. It’s only the second time, after Queen Elizabeth II in 1991, that a UK monarch has addressed a joint meeting of both houses.

The royal couple will also visit the 9/11 memorial in New York and attend a 250th birthday block party in Virginia during their four-day visit.

Charles, 77, who was diagnosed with cancer in early 2024, has visited the US 19 times, but this is his first since becoming king.

The Secret Service Hazardous Agent Mitigation & Medical Emergency Response (HAMMER) Unit that followed King Charles to the Embassy amid heightened security measures has been pictured.

The king’s visit came just days after a gunman opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner attended by President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and members of his cabinet.

King Charles and Queen Camilla looked over items that are set to be placed in a time capsule for America’s 250th birthday.

Among the items is a note signed by President Donald Trump.

‘Two and a half centuries ago this year, 56 legends of liberty gathered in a Philadelphia hall on a sweltering July day to declare the birth of a new Nation, proclaiming before the entire world an immortal truth: “All men are created equal,”‘ it reads.

‘Ever since, our distinctly American spirt of faith, adventure, courage and resolve has unfailingly sustained our Nation, our people, our liberty and our way of life and has encouraged every generation of patriots to reach further and aim higher.

‘For 250 years, this burning flame of liberty has been passed down from one generation to the next and carried our Nation and people to heights that our Founding Fathers could have never dreamed.

‘Today, under my leadership, America is witnessing an incredible renewal of optimism, a resurgence of patriotism and a glorious rebirth of national pride.

‘During this historic year, we remain confident that the triumph of the American spirit will shine brighter than ever before and that it will lay the groundwork for our next 250 years of liberty and justice for all.’

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump accompanies King Charles and Queen Camilla on a tour of the White House gardens on Monday evening.

They were seen chatting and laughing as they learned about the White House’s own beehive.

Trump and first lady Melania were photographed inside the White House with the British royals.

The couples will shortly sit down for afternoon tea.

First Lady Melania Trump looked effortlessly chic in a buttercream yellow skirt suit alongside her husband, President Donald Trump, to welcome King Charles and Queen Camilla to Washington for a state visit.

The four posed at the South Portico of the White House, while Melania stunned in the double-breasted yellow suit along with patterned heels by Manolo Blahnik, with Trump donning his classic, navy blue suit.

The suit, which was designed by Adam Lippes, featured large round buttons decorated on the front, along with a crisp collar. It appeared to be the brand’s Malone Jacket, which is only available in black online for $3,290.

Lippes famously dressed her in her navy silk wool coat and pencil skirt for Trump’s 2025 inauguration.

King Charles will be spared a public Oval Office meeting with President Trump during his state visit to America this week.

Trump, meanwhile, has been trying to dispel concerns of an awkward encounter, by calling the King a ‘wonderful person’, and insisting he is distinct from the diplomatic drama with Keir Starmer.

A string of world leaders have been forced to endure excruciating meetings in the President’s office, many of which have led to embarrassing face-offs.

Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky was famously ambushed by Trump and JD Vance, Japan’s Prime Minister was insulted with a Pearl Harbour reference, and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince squirmed under journalists’ questions.

But officials have taken steps to minimise potential embarrassment to the monarchy at the hands of President Donald Trump, so an on-camera head-to-head has been ruled out.

President Trump and first lady Melania welcomed King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the White House on Monday afternoon.

Melania donned a pale yellow blazer and skirt while Queen Camilla wore a white dress with graphic detail.

The president shook hands with Charles and Camilla, and the royals both greeted the first lady with kisses on the cheek.

Jeffrey Epstein victim Rina Oh called on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to testify before Congress amid King Charles visit to the US.

‘One thing that’s so important for survivors is validation; it helps us heal,’ she told Newsweek.

‘But we also are asking for accountability and action. I think he should send Air Force One to go and bring Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Peter Mandelson to the United States to give testimony about what they saw.’

Oh added, ;They don’t need to incriminate themselves, but they spent a lot of time with Jeffrey Epstein. They are named in those files, and we want some answers because a lot of horrible things happened to a lot of these girls, and I know their stories. And we need to understand what roles everyone played, even if they name other people’s names.

‘I want the king to show true leadership and to be remembered as the king who did the right thing. We would so thank him. It’s a slap in the face if he decides not to even acknowledge us.’

The British Embassy in Washington posted on X welcoming King Charles and Queen Camilla.

‘Welcome to the USA, Your Majesties!’ the embassy wrote.

‘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 celebrate the enduring cultural, historical, and personal links that make the US and UK #GreaterTogether!’