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King Charles III visit live updates: Loud applause after Charles' comments on checks to executive power

King Charles met with congressional leaders earlier Tuesday.

ByMason Leib and Alexandra Hutzler via GMA logo
Last Updated: April 28, 2026, 4:51 PM EDT

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are making their first-ever state visit to the U.S., visiting Washington, D.C., New York City and Virginia. 

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

The king and queen were feted at the White House on Tuesday with a traditional military arrival ceremony. Charles later delivered a rare joint address to Congress, where he emphasized the historic partnership between the U.S. and U.K. and praised NATO.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
2 hours and 37 minutes ago

King Charles to deliver rare address to Congress

King Charles will soon deliver a joint address to Congress, a key moment of his four-day state visit. The last British royal to speak to a joint session of Congress was Queen Elizabeth II in 1991.

Britain's King Charles and House Speaker Mike Johnson walk through Statuary Hall before a joint meeting of Congress in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, April 28, 2026.
Eric Lee/Reuters

There will be plenty of pomp and show surrounding the king's speech, including a bipartisan escort committee that will trail him as he makes his way to the speaker's rostrum. Supreme Court justices, the diplomatic corps and president's Cabinet are all invited to attend as well. Vice President JD Vance is expected to sit alongside Speaker Mike Johnson atop the rostrum.

During the joint meeting, members of Congress may try to "hog the aisle" to get a moment gripping and grinning with the king.

Read more about the upcoming speech here.

-ABC News' John Parkinson and Lauren Peller

3 hours ago

Trumps, royals exchange gifts at the White House

During their meeting at the White House, President Trump and King Charles exchanged gifts, according to the White House.

Trump gave Charles a copy of a 1785 letter written by John Adams to John Jay. In the letter, Adams describes being received by King George III as the first U.S. ambassador to Great Britain. Charles gave Trump a framed copy of the 1879 design plans for the Resolute Desk.

First lady Melania Trump gifted Queen Camilla with sterling silver teaspoons from Tiffany & Co. and some White House honey. On Monday, the Trumps showed the White House beehive to the royals. Queen Camilla gave Melania Trump a brooch from British designer Fiona Rae.

3 hours and 14 minutes ago

King Charles arrives at Capitol

The king is now on Capitol Hill, where he will soon deliver an address to Congress. King Charles posed with House Speaker Mike Johnson for a photo as he entered the building.

Britain's King Charles III and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson meet before a Joint Meeting of Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on April 28, 2026.
Henry Nicholls/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

The speaker and the king will soon walk through the Capitol for a meeting with the rest of congressional leadership, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. 

3 hours and 36 minutes ago

King Charles leaves White House, will soon address Congress

King Charles and Queen Camilla have left the White House, according to pool reporters. President Trump told reporters he had a "really good meeting" with the king.

King Charles III and President Donald Trump in the Oval Office during the State Arrival Ceremony on day two of the State Visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the United States of America, April 28, 2026 in Washington.
Chris Jackson/Pool via Reuters

Next, King Charles will head to Capitol Hill to address a joint meeting of Congress around 3 p.m. Charles is expected to meet with Johnson and top bipartisan congressional leaders before his address.

President Donald Trump and Britain's King Charles III walk through the Rose Garden to the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, April 28, 2026.
Henry Nicholls/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

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