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Buckingham Palace has announced that King Charles III will address a joint meeting of Congress and hold a private meeting with President Donald Trump during a high-stakes state visit to the United States later this month.
Scheduled from April 27 to April 30, the visit will see the King and Queen Camilla travel to Washington, D.C., New York, and Virginia as part of events marking the 250th anniversary of American independence. The monarch will become only the second British sovereign to address a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress, following the historic precedent set by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991.
The visit comes at a time of notable diplomatic tension within the “special relationship.” In recent weeks, President Trump has criticised British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government over what he described as insufficient support for U.S. military operations against Iran.
Although some British lawmakers have questioned the timing of the trip given the current political climate, the Palace said the visit will go ahead as planned, aimed at reinforcing longstanding historical, economic, and security ties. As a constitutional monarch, Charles remains above political disputes, serving as a symbolic representative of the UK rather than a voice of government policy.
Upon arrival in Washington, D.C., the King and Queen will be received by President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for a private meeting, followed by a formal welcome ceremony and a ceremonial military review.
A state dinner and a ceremony honouring fallen soldiers are also planned, underscoring the enduring military partnership between the two nations despite recent tensions over Iran. The programme is intended to highlight the breadth of the economic, security, and cultural relationship that has evolved since 1776.
Following engagements in the capital, the royal couple will travel to New York to pay their respects at the 9/11 memorial and engage with youth organisations focused on sustainable urban farming and food insecurity.
The visit will conclude in Virginia, where the King, a longtime environmental advocate, will meet with local Indigenous communities and conservation groups. From the United States, the royal party is scheduled to depart for a two-day visit to Bermuda, a British Overseas Territory.
