Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla are scheduled to complete a four-day state visit to the United States on Thursday with a formal farewell meeting in Washington with U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. Following that departure, the king is expected to lay a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia - a site that holds the graves of tens of thousands of U.S. service members, as well as two presidents and several former Supreme Court justices.
The royal visit, officially marked to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the United States' Declaration of Independence from British rule, unfolded against a backdrop of diplomatic tension between Britain and the United States. During the visit, President Trump publicly criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for what Trump has characterized as insufficient assistance in the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. The visit therefore combined ceremonial observances with an undercurrent of contemporary political strain.
The high point of the trip occurred on Tuesday, when King Charles addressed a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress, and the president and first lady hosted a White House state dinner the same evening. In his congressional remarks, Charles highlighted the longstanding military and cultural connections between the United Kingdom and the United States and underscored the role of NATO. His emphasis on the importance of the alliance came as President Trump has voiced criticism of NATO's reluctance to provide military assistance in the Iran conflict.
On Wednesday, the king and queen paid respects to the victims of the September 11, 2001 al Qaeda attack on New York City. They placed a floral tribute at the memorial located where the World Trade Center's twin towers once stood.
After the farewell and the planned Arlington wreath-laying, Charles and Camilla are due to depart Washington and fly to Bermuda on Thursday evening, following events in Virginia. The visit combined ceremonial duties, formal diplomacy and symbolic commemorations over its four days in the United States.
Summary of events:
- Formal farewell with President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump in Washington.
- Planned wreath-laying by King Charles at Arlington National Cemetery.
- King Charles addressed Congress and attended a White House state dinner; the monarch and queen paid tribute at the 9/11 memorial.