KingCharles IIIandQueen Camillaare making their first-everstate visitto the U.S., visiting Washington, D.C., New York City and Virginia.The royals’ visit comes at a heightened time, following ashooting incidentoutside the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner and amid newstrainsbetween the U.K. and the U.S. over the war in Iran. It’s also happening under the shadow of Charles' brotherAndrew Mountbatten-Windsor'sconnection to the ongoingEpstein scandal.
During the visit, Charles will deliver a rare joint address to Congress and there will be a state dinner at the White House.
Latest Developments
Apr 28, 1:22 PMKing 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.
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.
Apr 28, 11:39 AMTrump pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth
In his speech on the South Lawn, President Trump took a moment to remember Queen Elizabeth II, who he called "an incredible woman who I had the privilege of getting to know."
Trump was received by Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace during a state visit in 2019, during his first term.
Trump said the late monarch was a "very special woman who is very greatly missed on both sides of that mighty Atlantic."
Apr 28, 11:31 AMMilitary flyover takes place over White House
President Trump, King Charles, first lady Melania Trump and Queen Camilla observed the military flyover from the balcony of the White House.
Next, they are expected to go into the White House Blue Room, where King Charles and Queen Camilla will sign the White House guest book and exchange gifts with the president and first lady.
Apr 28, 11:15 AMTrump: 'Americans have had no closer friends than the British'
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Amid diplomatic tension between the U.S. and the U.K. over the war in Iran, President Trump spoke about the "special relationship" between the two nations."In the centuries since we won our independence, Americans have had no closer friends than the British," Trump said. "We share that same root. We speak the same language, we hold the same values, and together, our warriors have defended the same extraordinary civilization under twin banners of red, white and blue."
Apr 28, 11:12 AMTrump delivers remarks
"What a beautiful British day this is," President Trump said as he kicked off remarks with thousands of guests gathered outside the White House South Lawn on a rainy morning in Washington.The royals' state visit is to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence from Great Britain."Honoring the British king might seem an ironic beginning to our celebration of 250 years of American independence, but in fact, no tribute could be more appropriate," Trump said. "Long before Americans had a nation or a Constitution, we first had a culture, a character and a creed."
Apr 28, 11:02 AMTrump, Charles inspect the troops
President Trump and King Charles are now reviewing the troops gathered at the White House, after performances by the U.S. Marine Band of "God Save the King" and "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Apr 28, 10:55 AMKing Charles, Queen Camilla arrive for ceremonial welcome at White House
King Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived at the South Portico of the White House for a formal state arrival ceremony. They are being greeted by President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump.Notable officials are gathered on the White House South Lawn in rainy weather for the ceremony that will include a review of the troops, remarks by Trump and more.
Apr 28, 10:09 AMStrained US-UK alliance in spotlight amid state visit
President Trump is hosting King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the White House as the "special relationship" between the United States and the United Kingdom is under a microscope amid the war with Iran.While Trump has repeatedly praised King Charles as a "friend" whom he's known for years, his relationship with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been another story. The president has repeatedly assailed the U.K. and other NATO allies over the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran.Trump said the visit from the king -- the U.K.'s constitutional and ceremonial head of state -- may help restore any damaged ties between the two allies."Absolutely. He's fantastic. He's a fantastic man. Absolutely the answer is yes," Trump told the BBC in a phone interview when asked if the visit could help repair the relationship.Read morehere.-ABC News' Nicholas Kerr
Apr 28, 10:05 AMKing Charles to be welcomed at White House: What to expect
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump will welcome Great Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the White House South Lawn later this morning.Thousands of guests are anticipated to be in attendance, including Cabinet officials, U.S. and U.K. delegations, members of Congress, students from the British International School of Washington and more.The official arrival of the king and queen will begin with a traditional military arrival ceremony by the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, a "tradition that dates back to the 18th century," the first lady’s office said. The national anthems of both countries will then be played by the U.S. Marine Band, followed by the Presidential Salute Battery rendering a 21-gun cannon salute."Following an Inspection of the Troops and a Troop in Review, facilitated by the U.S. Army Fife and Drum Corps, the President will deliver remarks from the South Lawn," the first lady's office said in a press release.-ABC News' Emily Chang
Apr 27, 6:41 PMCharles, Camilla view White House beehive
Charles and Camilla were shown the White House beehive by President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump during their visit Monday.Videos sharedon social mediaby a top White House aide show the president and first lady and the king and queen inspecting a new White House-shaped beehive that is part of an expansion announced by the first lady last week.Two other beehives have been on the south grounds of the White House since 2009,according toThe Associated Press.
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