On 27 April 2026, King Charles III of the United Kingdom and Queen Camilla arrived in the United States for a four-day state visit. The trip coincides with the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence, to be celebrated on 4 July 2026.
On the first day of their stay in Washington, the British royal couple met with President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the White House. During a warm and symbolic occasion on the South Lawn, the parties shared afternoon tea, underscoring the special historic ties between the two nations.
This is the first state visit by a British monarch to the United States since 2007. The programme includes events not only in Washington but also in other cities, among them New York. King Charles III is expected to address a joint session of Congress, and the schedule also features a formal state dinner at the White House along with other ceremonial engagements.
The visit takes place against a backdrop of complex transatlantic relations; nevertheless, both sides are emphasising its importance for strengthening friendship and partnership between the United Kingdom and the United States. Buckingham Palace has noted that the trip is intended to celebrate the deep historical and contemporary bonds between the two nations, despite the 250 years that have passed since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.