King Charles III, Queen Camilla conclude US state visit

The queen, who is a patron of horse racing in the U.K., learned about America’s own horse racing industry Thursday at Smitten Farm near The Plains, Virginia.

Camilla met with the owner and manager of the farm and said about owning and breeding racehorses, “You have to go with the ups and downs. There are many more downs than there are ups.”

Describing her visit to the farm, Camilla said, “It’s a lovely way to finish off this trip," according to reporters traveling with the queen.

Charles, who is known for his love of the outdoors, spent time Thursday touring Virginia's Shenandoah National Park, one of America’s 63 national parks.

The king met with staff to learn more about the park, which covers 200,000 acres in Virginia.

He also met some of the park’s youngest supporters as he joined a swearing in ceremony for a group of Junior Rangers, the National Park Service’s program for children. 

Charles also spent time with members of the Monacan Indian Nation, who live on their ancestral lands in Western Virginia.

Charles and Camilla got another taste of America when they joined locals in Front Royal, Virginia, for a potluck to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.

The food at the potluck included pizza, doughnuts and chicken wings. Charles and Camilla also contributed British dishes of coronation quiche, Victoria sponge cake and honey from the royal beehives, according to reporters traveling with the king and queen.

The potluck on Thursday is part of a broader initiative to have communities throughout the country gather for potluck meals over the course of the year.

As America celebrates its 250th birthday this year, Charles and Camilla celebrated with locals in Front Royal, Virginia, a small town nearly 70 miles outside of Washington, D.C.

The king and queen got a taste of America as they watched marching bands, cheerleaders and classic cars take part in a parade down the town’s main street. At one point, the royals stopped to greet members of the Front Royal Little League baseball team.

Locals decked out in red, white and blue also lined the town's streets to get a glimpse of Charles and Camilla.

The royals were joined at the parade by Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger and Front Royal Mayor Lori Athey Cockrell.