King Charles III, Queen Camilla conclude US state visit

Charles and Camilla visited two states and Washington, D.C., over four days.

Last Updated: April 30, 2026, 5:38 PM EDT

King Charles III and Queen Camilla concluded their first-ever state visit to the United States on Thursday, wrapping up a whirlwind four days that took them to Washington, D.C., New York City and Virginia. 

The royals' visit took place amid significant strains between the U.K. and the U.S. over the war in Iran. It also happened under the shadow of Charles' brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's connection to the ongoing Epstein scandal.

Charles took Washington by storm, delivering a rare joint address to Congress and garnering good cheer with his toast at a White House state dinner. In New York City, the king and queen mixed with celebrities and locals alike before traveling to Virginia to celebrate America's 250th birthday.

Scroll below to see how the visit unfolded.

Apr 27, 2026, 3:30 PM EDT

British Embassy shares behind-the-scenes garden party prep

The British Embassy shared a behind-the-scenes look on Monday at how it is preparing for a garden party welcoming Charles and Camilla to the U.S.

The garden party, hosted at the embassy residence in Washington, D.C., will include 650 guests who will snack on four types of tea sandwiches as well as scones and desserts.

The embassy’s head chef said the team is preparing nearly 3,000 tea sandwiches for the party.

Apr 27, 2026, 3:06 PM EDT

The king and queen greet UK ambassador

Charles and Camilla were greeted by the U.K. ambassador and two children with posies as they deplaned on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews.

Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla disembark the plane on arrival for a state visit to the United States at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, April 27, 2026.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Apr 27, 2026, 2:43 PM EDT

The king and queen arrive in the US

Their plane landed at Joint Base Andrews moments ago.

A plane carrying King Charles III and Queen Camila taxis on day one of their State Visit to the United States, April 27, 2026 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Apr 27, 2026, 1:34 PM EDT

A look back at King Charles' trips to America

King Charles has visited the United States 19 times before but today will mark his first state visit as a monarch.

Charles’ first trip to the U.S. was in 1970 when the 21-year-old Prince of Wales traveled with his sister Princess Anne and were guests of the Nixons.

President Richard Nixon greets Prince Charles at the White House, July 18, 1970 in Washington.
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Charles also traveled to Los Angeles in 1974 where he met and struck up a friendship with Barbra Streisand.

Prince Charles meets with singer Barbra Streisand at the Warner Bros. studio, March 19, 1974 in Los Angeles.
Mark Sennet/Getty Images

In 1985 Charles, accompanied by Princess Diana, met the Reagans at the White House. It was on this trip that Diana famously danced with John Travolta.

In 2005 Charles took Camilla to see the Bushes on their first official overseas trip since their marriage, and in 2015 the couple returned to the White House as guests of the Obamas.

This trip will have echoes of previous royal visits when Charles' mother, Queen Elizabeth II, visited the United States in July 1976 for the 200th anniversary of American independence. More recently, in 1991 Elizabeth became the first British monarch to address Congress.

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