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King Charles III visit live updates: Charles, Camilla pay respects at 9/11 Memorial

King Charles met with congressional leaders earlier Tuesday.

ByMason Leib, Alexandra Hutzler, and Katie Kindelan via GMA logo
Last Updated: April 29, 2026, 1:48 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 and a state dinner. Charles also 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.
Apr 28, 2026, 3:38 PM EDT

Packed chamber, standing ovations, laughter: Something we don't see often in divided times

Vice President JD Vance and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson applaud the arrival of Britain's King Charles III to speak to a Joint Meeting of Congress in the House Chamber at the US Capitol in Washington, April 28, 2026.
Kent Nishimura/AFP via Getty Images

It's something that we don't see often in a divided Congress: a packed chamber, full of laughter, unity and standing ovations.

The laughter in the chamber is echoing off the walls. The king has had to stop a few times to allow for more laughter and applause.

Democrats and Republicans are listening attentively -- more than they do with a president even from their own party.

-ABC News' Rachel Scott

Apr 28, 2026, 3:37 PM EDT

Loud applause after Charles' comments on checks to executive power

King Charles, speaking on American independence, said the founding fathers brought with them some ideals rooted in British common law -- including the Magna Carta.

"The U.S. Supreme Court Historical Society has calculated that Magna Carta is cited in at least 160 Supreme Court cases since 1789, not least as the foundation of the principle that executive power is subject to checks and balances," he said.

The remark was met with loud applause from the chamber.

Britain's King Charles is applauded by Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson as he addresses a joint meeting of Congress in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, April 28, 2026.
Kylie Cooper/Reuters
Apr 28, 2026, 3:21 PM EDT

Charles on WHCA dinner shooting: 'Acts of violence will never succeed'

King Charles decried acts of violence as he briefly mentioned the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner on Saturday night.

"We meet, too, in the aftermath of the incident not far from this great building that sought to harm the leadership of your nation and to foment wider fear and discord. Let me say with unshakable resolve, such acts of violence will never succeed," he said.

Apr 28, 2026, 3:17 PM EDT

Charles says US, UK destinies 'have been interlinked'

Kicking off his speech, King Charles thanked the American people for being welcomed during the semiquincentennial year of the Declaration of Independence. The remark prompted a huge applause from attendees.

"For all of that time, our destinies as nations have been interlinked," he said.

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