Buckingham Palace has announced that King Charles III will address a joint meeting of Congress and hold a private meeting with President Donald Trump during a high-stakes state visit to the United States later this month.
Scheduled from April 27 to April 30, the visit will see the King and Queen Camilla travel to Washington, D.C., New York, and Virginia to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence.
The monarch will become only the second British sovereign to address a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress, following the historic precedent set by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991.
The visit arrives during a period of significant diplomatic friction within the “special relationship.” In recent weeks, President Trump has repeatedly criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government for its perceived lack of support regarding U.S. military operations against Iran.
While some British lawmakers questioned the timing of the trip given the current political climate, the Palace confirmed the visit will proceed as a means to shore up historical, economic, and security ties. As a constitutional monarch, Charles remains above political disputes, serving as a symbolic representative of the UK rather than a spokesperson for government policy.
Upon arrival in Washington, D.C., the King and Queen will be received by President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for a private meeting, followed by a formal welcome ceremony and a ceremonial military review.
A state dinner and a ceremony honoring fallen soldiers are also planned to highlight the longstanding military partnership between the two nations, despite recent tensions over the conflict in Iran. The program is designed to showcase the “breadth of the economic, security, and cultural relationship” that has evolved since 1776.
Following the engagements in the capital, the royal couple will travel to New York to pay their respects at the 9/11 memorial and engage with youth organizations focused on sustainable urban farming and food insecurity.
The visit will conclude in Virginia, where the King, a longtime advocate for environmental causes—will meet with local indigenous communities and conservation groups. From the U.S., the royal party is scheduled to depart for a two-day visit to Bermuda, a British Overseas Territory.
