King Charles is set to give a historic address to Congress after he and Queen Camilla met with US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump at the White House.
The address, which is expected to take place Tuesday at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Capitol Hill in Washington, is part of the King and Queen’s four-day state visit.
This is Charles’ first visit to the US as monarch and the first state visit of any British monarch since 2007. The King and Queen are celebrating the 250th anniversary of American independence, which kicked off with a massive garden party at the British Embassy in Washington Monday.
Tuesday’s address will be the second of its kind in history. The first and only British monarch to address Congress was Charles’ mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1991 during the George H. W. Bush administration.
The state visit is under heightened security after Saturday’s shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. The event was thrown into chaos after an alleged attempted assassination of Trump.
It comes as UK-US relations have become strained following tense conversations between Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the Iran war.
Key Points
- King Charles and Queen Camilla land in US
- In pictures: The Trumps greet King Charles and Queen Camilla
- In pictures: King Charles and Queen Camilla greet guests at garden party
- 'Every measure will be taken to protect the King' in Washington, minister says
- What's on the agenda for day one of King Charles' historic US state visit?
King Charles is under pressure to meet Epstein victims
05:42 , Shweta SharmaMembers of Congress have called on King Charles to address the scandal surrounding Jeffrey Epstein during his high-profile state visit to the US.
Some members of Congress have urged the monarch to meet with Epstein’s victims during his visit, though there is no indication that such an engagement is on his schedule.
The controversy has also touched the royal family more directly through Charles’ brother, Prince Andrew, who was arrested earlier this year over misconduct allegations he has denied.
Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna publicly called on the King to at least acknowledge the issue during his expected address to Congress, reflecting the pressure building around the visit.
Archbishop praying for ‘wonderful’ King and Queen during US visit
05:30 , Aine FoxThe Archbishop of Canterbury has said she is praying for the King and Queen as they embarked on a four-day state visit to the US, describing them as “wonderful people”.
The royal trip comes amid security concerns in the wake of the weekend shooting at a Washington dinner attended by Donald Trump and strained transatlantic ties over the Iran war.
Dame Sarah Mullally made her remarks following a historic meeting with the Pope at the Vatican.
Asked if she sympathised with the King on having to walk a difficult diplomatic tightrope on the US visit, the most senior Anglican cleric said: “I always hold His Majesty the King in my prayers and also the Queen in my prayers.
“And I pray for them for this trip, as always, and they are wonderful people who offer hospitality and greetings to so many people”.
Read on...
Archbishop praying for ‘wonderful’ King and Queen as they embark on US visit
Scones and roasted British beef: What was served at the garden party
05:17 , Shweta SharmaGuests at the British ambassador’s residence were given a distinctly British welcome this afternoon, as a garden party marked the state visit of King Charles and Queen Camilla with a menu steeped in tradition.
The spread leaned into classic flavours, with delicate finger sandwiches taking centre stage, from Scottish smoked salmon with lemon and black pepper to roasted British beef paired with horseradish.
There were also lighter options such as cucumber and dill, alongside combinations like West Country cheddar with fig.
Savoury bites extended beyond sandwiches, with offerings including aged cheddar and chive quiche and neatly prepared tomato, basil, cucumber and olive tarts.
The sweet table showcased a range of quintessential British desserts.
Guests could choose from scones served with strawberries and Devonshire clotted cream, slices of Bakewell tart, ginger cake and the ever-reliable Victoria sponge.
Traditional fruit cake sat alongside more contemporary flavours like raspberry, white chocolate and lemon cake, rounding out the selection.
To accompany the food, guests were served tea from Fortnum & Mason, reinforcing the afternoon’s British tone, while Hambledon sparkling wine offered a celebratory touch.
King Charles to be second British monarch to address Congress
05:00 , Maira ButtKing Charles will address the US Congress Tuesday, becoming the second British monarch in history to do so.
Charles’ mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, was the first British monarch to address US lawmakers on Capitol Hill in 1991 during the George H. W. Bush administration.
Drones, special forces and undercover agents: Inside the King’s ‘ring of security’ during his US state visit
04:30 , Maira ButtKing Charles’ security has been reviewed ahead of a trip to the White House on Monday after another assassination attempt on President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner over the weekend.
The state visit is expected to last three days between 27 and 30 April and will include a meeting with the US president.
The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner was thrown into chaos on Saturday night after the attempted attack, which saw shots fired, prompting Trump to be swiftly evacuated by Secret Service agents along with other senior members of his administration.
Inside King Charles’ ‘ring of security’ ahead of his US state visit to meet Trump
Photos show King Charles III and Queen Camilla on a 4-day visit to the US
04:20 , Shweta SharmaKing Charles III and Queen Camilla's four-day state visit is aimed at restoring UK-US ties and celebrating the United States' 250th anniversary.
This is Charles' first trip to the US since he became king in 2022. The royal couple visited the White House on Monday afternoon, followed by a garden party at the British Embassy.
Visit by King 'can help enormously', senior British diplomat says
04:10 , Shweta SharmaKing Charles’ role in US–UK ties goes far beyond the political fray, James Roscoe, a deputy British ambassador to the US said, as the monarch undertakes a high-profile visit to the US
Speaking to CNN, he suggested that the King’s presence could help steady a relationship that has shown signs of strain in recent months.
“He can help enormously,” Roscoe said in an interview with Jake Tapper. “He is a constitutional figure, but crucially, he is above politics. In many ways, he transcends it.”
He said that despite a “rocky” beginning between the US and UK, “we’ve developed into the most important relationship over these last 250 years”.
“I think what the King can do is he can draw out those things that really pull us together,” Roscoe said.
He referred to King Charles' visit to Arlington to further the US-UK’s defence relationship, visiting the 9/11 memorial to commemorate both American and British victims, and “he’ll celebrate the economic ties.”
The visit is being viewed as more than symbolic. At a time when diplomatic tensions and policy differences have occasionally surfaced between London and Washington, King Charles’ soft power – rooted in continuity, tradition and personal diplomacy – could serve as a stabilising force.
Watch: King Charles and Queen Camilla visiting the White House
04:00 , Rachel Dobkin.@POTUS and @FLOTUS walk on the South Lawn with King Charles and Queen Camilla to visit the new beehive in the White House garden 🇺🇸🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/08hoFHFqWy
— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) April 27, 2026
Recap: King Charles III arrives at the White House
03:59 , Shweta SharmaKing Charles III arrived at the White House on Monday with trans-Atlantic ties under strain and security in the spotlight.
Trump and first lady Melania Trump greeted Charles and Queen Camilla as they arrived, posing for photos and exchanging small talk before they went inside for tea in the Green Room.
Afterward, the couples went down to the south grounds to see a new beehive in the shape of the White House that the first lady had installed last week.
Charles and Camilla both support beekeeping.
He keeps at least three beehives at his private residence in England as part of his support for the environment and sustainability.
After the White House visit, the royal couple attended a garden party at the British Embassy.
Where are King Charles and Queen Camilla headed after Washington?
03:30 , Rachel DobkinKing Charles and Queen Camilla will spend the next two days in Washington, D.C., before heading to New York City.
While in New York City on Wednesday, Charles and Camilla will visit the 9/11 Memorial at the World Trade Center and meet with families of victims and first responders affected by the terrorist attacks.
The King and Queen will then visit Virginia Thursday to attend several community events.
King Charles and Queen Camilla visit US under heightened security
03:00 , Robert JobsonKing Charles and Queen Camilla are visiting the US under heightened security.
Saturday’s alleged assassination attempt on US President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner forced small adjustments.
Follow The Independent’s live coverage of the shooting:
Unsealed court documents reveal gunman’s targets in Correspondents’ Dinner attack
British Embassy welcomes King Charles and Queen Camilla
02:40 , Rachel DobkinWelcome to the USA, Your Majesties!
— British Embassy Washington (@UKinUSA) April 27, 2026
King Charles III and Queen Camilla have arrived to honour the American people as the nation marks 250 years of independence.
This is King Charles III’s 20th visit to the United States, and his first State Visit as King. The visit will… pic.twitter.com/wi8Q3OuWsY
King Charles visits US for 20th time
02:20 , Rachel DobkinKing Charles and Queen Camilla landed in the US Monday for a four-day state visit.
This is Charles’ 20th visit to the US and his first state visit as king. His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, made four state visits to the country during her reign.
Watch: King Charles and Queen Camilla visit White House beehive with Donald Trump and Melania
02:00 , Rachel DobkinInside the secret plots being designed to make the King’s US visit the most awkward in royal history
01:40 , Maira ButtAs tensions between Trump and Starmer grow, it will be up to the King to smooth over the cracks during his historic trip to Washington this week. But in this fraught atmosphere there is a plan afoot to cause maximum embarrassment to both sides, writes Alex Hannaford:
Inside the secret plots being designed to cause the King embarassment during US visit
State dinner guests to take home honey from White House beehive
01:20 , Rachel DobkinGuests attending the state dinner Tuesday evening, Washington time, will take home honey from the White House beehive, according to a Trump official.
Margo Martin, communications advisor to US President Donald Trump, shared a video of King Charles and Queen Camilla visiting the White House’s beehive Monday.
“Guests of the State Dinner tomorrow evening will go home with honey from the White House beehive!” Martin wrote on X.
Guests of the State Dinner tomorrow evening will go home with honey from the White House beehive! 🇺🇸🍯 pic.twitter.com/dD46spcnoP
— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) April 27, 2026
Tea and diplomacy as the Trumps welcome Charles and Camilla to White House
01:00 , Rachel DobkinThe King and President Donald Trump will renew Anglo-American relations that have been fractious in recent months – over a cup of tea.
Charles and Camilla began their four-day state visit to the United States by sitting down with their American hosts Trump and first lady Melania Trump in the White House.
The two couples greeted each other outside by the historic building’s South Portico overlooking the lawns where past presidents have hosted Queen Elizabeth II.
The start of the historic trip – Charles’ first to America as King – has been overshadowed by a shooting Saturday night at a Washington media dinner where Trump was surrounded by Secret Service agents and bundled from the room.
The King privately contacted the president and his wife to express his and the Queen’s sympathies with all those affected on the night, and their gratitude to the security services who prevented further injury.
Read more from Tony Jones...
Tea and diplomacy as the Trumps welcome Charles and Camilla to White House
British ambassador says it's 'tremendous honour' to welcome King Charles and Queen Camilla
Tuesday 28 April 2026 00:40 , Rachel DobkinA tremendous honour to welcome Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Joint Base Andrews today as they begin an historic #StateVisit26 pic.twitter.com/pdInEzClHv
— Christian Turner (@CTurnerFCDO) April 27, 2026
Watch: King Charles and Queen Camilla visit White House beehive with Donald Trump and Melania
Tuesday 28 April 2026 00:20 , Rachel DobkinA look into the early moments of King Charles and Queen Camilla's visit
Tuesday 28 April 2026 00:00 , Robert JobsonAt 4:17 p.m., a black BMW drew up at the White House, sixth in a 29-vehicle convoy. Melania Trump kissed Camilla. The Queen had changed — white chiffon by Anna Valentine, beaded in black.
The First Lady wore a buttercream Adam Lippes suit, Manolo Blahnik snake pumps. The King kissed Melania. Warm handshakes for the President. Then tea in the Green Room, and the new South Lawn beehive.
This is the first state visit to America by a reigning British monarch since Elizabeth II in May 2007. It lands on the 250th anniversary of American independence. A piece of timing nobody in either palace failed to notice.
A state dinner will be held Tuesday, after the King’s address to a joint meeting of Congress — only the second British monarch to do so, after his mother in 1991. New York follows: a 9/11 commemoration before the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks. Then Charles and Camilla will head to rural Virginia, where the King will discuss conservation with an Indigenous community.
British foreign secretary talks about 'strong' US-UK relationship
Monday 27 April 2026 23:45 , Rachel DobkinBritish Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, who is also currently in Washington, D.C., has talked about the “special” US-UK relationship that has apparently become strained during the Iran war.
In an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper Monday evening Eastern Time, Cooper was asked about President Donald Trump’s criticisms of the UK over its refusal to directly get involved in the Iran war, amid other issues.
“When you've got a strong relationship, the depth, richness of the one that we have going back so many years, of course, there are always going to be things that we disagree about and things that we agree about”, the foreign secretary said. “There will be things where we take different views, but also things where we work immensely closely together”.
What's on the garden party menu?
Monday 27 April 2026 23:29 , Rachel DobkinSeveral British delicacies are on the menu for a garden party at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C., Monday.
The afternoon tea service will include several sandwiches:
- Scottish smoked salmon, lemon and black pepper sandwiches
- Roasted British beef and horseradish sandwiches
- West Country cheddar and fig sandwiches
- Cucumber and dill sandwiches
Aged cheddar and chive quiche and tomato, basil, cucumber and olive tarts will also be served.
There will also be several sweet treats for the party to celebrate King Charles and Queen Camilla’s visit:
- Scones with strawberries and Devonshire clotted cream
- Bakewell tart
- Ginger cake
- Victoria sponge
- Traditional fruit cake
- Raspberry, white chocolate and lemon cake
In pictures: King Charles and Queen Camilla greet guests at garden party
Monday 27 April 2026 23:23 , Rachel Dobkin
British Embassy shares video about garden party preparations
Monday 27 April 2026 23:10 , Rachel DobkinThe British Embassy in Washington, D.C., has given an inside look at the preparations for its garden party.
The embassy is hosting more than 600 guests, including King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Behind the scenes in the Embassy kitchen. 👑🫖
— British Embassy Washington (@UKinUSA) April 27, 2026
Chef is preparing afternoon tea for 650 guests, including Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Four kinds of tea sandwiches, scones, desserts, and several British flavours from smoked Scottish salmon to British Beef!… pic.twitter.com/sSrtsNZ9cj
King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at garden party
Monday 27 April 2026 22:49 , Rachel DobkinKing Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived at a garden party at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C.
In pictures: King Charles and Queen Camilla shown new White House beehive
Monday 27 April 2026 22:32 , Rachel Dobkin
In pictures: King Charles and Queen Camilla have tea with the Trumps
Monday 27 April 2026 22:10 , Rachel Dobkin
Watch: Donald Trump and Melania welcome King Charles and Queen Camilla to the White House
Monday 27 April 2026 22:00 , Rachel Dobkin
Donald Trump and Melania welcome King Charles and Queen Camilla to the White House
In pictures: The Trumps greet King Charles and Queen Camilla
Monday 27 April 2026 21:30 , Rachel Dobkin
King Charles and Queen Camilla greeted by Trump and Melania
Monday 27 April 2026 21:23 , Rachel DobkinKing Charles and Queen Camilla have been greeted by US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump.
Charles and Camilla met the Trumps at the White House. Charles shook Trump’s hand, and Camilla embraced Melania.
LIVE: Donald Trump and Melania welcome King Charles and Queen Camilla to White House
Monday 27 April 2026 21:20 , Rachel DobkinUS State Department shares welcome video for King Charles and Queen Camilla
Monday 27 April 2026 21:10 , Rachel DobkinWe walk together in majesty, in justice, and in peace. 🇺🇸🇬🇧 President Trump welcomes King Charles and Queen Camilla for a historic State Visit this week. pic.twitter.com/T50G0b7A5o
— Department of State (@StateDept) April 27, 2026
In pictures: White House to show off beehive to King Charles and Queen Camilla
Monday 27 April 2026 20:50 , Rachel Dobkin
Watch: Queen Camilla gives special nod to UK-US relationship as monarch arrive in America
Monday 27 April 2026 20:30 , Rachel Dobkin
Queen Camilla gives special nod to UK-US relationship as monarch arrive in America
King Charles and Queen disembark
Monday 27 April 2026 19:56 , Maira ButtKing Charles and Queen Camilla have disembarked their plane on arrival for a historic state visit to the US.
In pictures: King Charles and Camilla land in US
Monday 27 April 2026 19:45 , Maira Butt
Breaking: King Charles lands in US
Monday 27 April 2026 19:36 , Maira ButtKing Charles has landed in the US for the start of his four-day state visit amid a tense security atmosphere after Donald Trump was targeted by a gunman.
Charles, joined by the Queen, touched down at the Joint Base Andrews air base in Maryland, a short distance from Washington, in the last few moments.
The royals are expected to head to the White House, where they will be welcomed by Donald and Melania Trump.
Analysis: Why the King’s visit to meet Trump is crucial for Starmer
Monday 27 April 2026 19:30 , Bryony Gooch
Watch: Trump says King Charles will be 'very safe' on his US state visit
Monday 27 April 2026 19:00 , Maira ButtWhen will King Charles meet Trump? Full schedule for US state visit
Monday 27 April 2026 18:35 , Maira ButtKing Charles III and Camilla are visiting President Donald Trump from Monday as part of a historic state visit to the United States, which many hope will repair a weakening “special relationship”.
Buckingham Palace confirmed on Sunday that the state visit was set to go ahead as planned following a shooting at the White House correspondents’ dinner. Gunshots were fired inside the Washington Hilton shortly after 8.30pm on Saturday night at the black tie gala, with Mr Trump and other cabinet officials being rushed to safety while guests took cover.
Here is what we know about the scheduled plans for the King and Queen in the United States.
Charles and Camilla are scheduled to be greeted by Mr Trump and first lady Melania Trump at around 4.15pm local time (9pm BST) at the White House’s south portico. The heads of state will join together for a private afternoon tea in the Green Room on the state floor.
Secret Service security impacted by DHS funding freeze, says Karoline Leavitt
Monday 27 April 2026 18:15 , Maira ButtWhite House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has said the “Democrats’ obstruction” of funding to the Department of Homeland Security is impacting the Secret Service’s capability to deal with threats.
She has said that the funding should be considered a “national scandal”.
Melania Trump has made all preparations for royal visit, says Leavitt
Monday 27 April 2026 18:07 , Maira ButtFirst Lady Melania Trump has led all of the preparations relating to King Charles’ and Queen Camilla’s visit to the US this week.
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt has returned from maternity leave earlier to deliver the press conference today.
She paid tribute to the “special relationship” between the US and UK.
White House press briefing to take place imminently
Monday 27 April 2026 18:02 , Maira ButtWhite House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is due to speak at a briefing to press ahead of King Charles’ visit.
We will bring you the key updates. You can follow a live stream of the press conference below.
Mapped: Where King Charles will travel on the US state visit
Monday 27 April 2026 17:30 , Bryony GoochSamuel Fishwick: Charles’s tricky task with Trump: Don’t mention the war – any war
Monday 27 April 2026 17:00 , Bryony GoochCharles’s tricky task with Trump: Don’t mention the war – any war
In pictures: Washington DC prepares for arrival of King Charles III
Monday 27 April 2026 16:30 , Bryony Gooch
Green Party leader 'feels sorry for King' being sent to meet Trump
Monday 27 April 2026 16:00 , Bryony GoochGreen Party leader Zack Polanski said he “felt sorry for the King” being sent to the US to meet president Donald Trump.
Speaking in Newcastle, Mr Polanski blamed the Prime Minister for putting the King in that position and said: “I actually feel really sorry for the King, that he’s been paraded around as some sort of privilege for Donald Trump.
“It’s important to put things in perspective. Just a couple of weeks ago, Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, his social media platform, ‘An entire civilisation could be wiped out this evening, it doesn’t have to happen, but it probably could’.
“That’s not a man we should consider our ally or in a special relationship with. That’s a man we should be sanctioning and making sure that we’re condemning.
“And the fact this kind of awful parade of King Charles having to go there, why is Keir Starmer so obsequious to Donald Trump?
“Of course we should have a diplomatic relationship with the president, of course, we should talk to him on a whole range of things.
“But sending King Charles over there to meet him, as if he’s some sort of friend, or some sort of ally, will be difficult for a lot of British people to watch, and they’ll wonder why Keir Starmer, as with so many decisions, has made that decision.”
Behind the scenes: British Embassy prepares afternoon tea for 650 guests
Monday 27 April 2026 15:55 , Bryony GoochAs King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to arrive in the United States later on today, the British Embassy in Washington is preparing afternoon tea for 650 guests.
Four kinds of tea sandwiches, scones and desserts will be served with flavours including smoked salmon from Scotland and British beef.
Behind the scenes in the Embassy kitchen. 👑🫖
— British Embassy Washington (@UKinUSA) April 27, 2026
Chef is preparing afternoon tea for 650 guests, including Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Four kinds of tea sandwiches, scones, desserts, and several British flavours from smoked Scottish salmon to British Beef!… pic.twitter.com/sSrtsNZ9cj
When will King Charles meet Trump? Full schedule for US state visit
Monday 27 April 2026 15:30 , Bryony GoochWhen will King Charles meet Trump? Full schedule for US state visit
In pictures: Washington DC wakes up as King Charles is set to visit
Monday 27 April 2026 15:00 , Bryony Gooch
King Charles should pressure Trump to release all Epstein files, Democratic lawmaker says
Monday 27 April 2026 14:30 , Bryony Gooch
King Charles should pressure Trump to release all Epstein files, lawmaker says
Epstein victims 'plan mock tea party' while King Charles visits US - report
Monday 27 April 2026 14:00 , Bryony GoochVictims of Jeffrey Epstein plan to protest outside the White House during the King and Queen’s visit on Monday, according to The Times.
Rina Oh, assaulted by Epstein when she was 21, said she was planning a “performance arts piece” outside the White House, setting up an empty chair with a sign reading “reserved for King Charles”, the newspaper reported.
It comes after the family of Virginia Giuffre have renewed their calls for the King to meet with them during his upcoming state visit to the US, to “show unity with survivors”.
Family of Virginia Giuffre urge King to ‘show unity with survivors’
Monday 27 April 2026 13:30 , Bryony GoochThe family of Virginia Giuffre have renewed their calls for the King to meet with them during his upcoming state visit to the US, to “show unity with survivors”.
Sky Roberts, Ms Giuffre’s brother, and Amanda Roberts, Ms Giuffre’s sister-in-law, had “strongly” urged Charles to meet with them – as well as survivors of paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein – earlier this month.
Charles and the Queen are due to arrive in the US on Monday for a four-day visit during which they will meet President Donald Trump.
Read more here:
Family of Virginia Giuffre urge King to ‘show unity with survivors’
Recap: Ambassador Turner 'confident' their Majesties will have the best security throughout visit
Monday 27 April 2026 13:00 , Bryony GoochUK ambassador to the USChristian Turner has said that he is confident the King and Queen will be safe throughout their stay in the United States.
He said on Sunday: “Our team has been in touch way through the night, and we'll be through the day to see whether the events of last night have any change in our operational planning.
“And I'm very confident that their Majesties will have the very best security throughout the visit.”
Analysis: 'A piece of pageantry with a security review attached'
Monday 27 April 2026 12:51 , Bryony GoochRobert Jobson, royal correspondent in Washington DC, reports:
The King and Queen land in Washington today. The visit was always going to be politically difficult, because Britain and the Trump administration are at odds over Iran. It was meant to be a piece of pageantry, but it is now a piece of pageantry with a security review attached.
The Palace’s quiet “minor operational adjustments” will mean changes the cameras will not pick up. A route altered here, an engagement shortened there, a window of exposure trimmed. Royal protection officers, Scotland Yard’s quietest professionals, will be embedded with the Secret Service. They will study the corridors before they study the speeches. They will know where the second exit is, and the third. That is what they do.
In July last year, Queen Camilla was made an Honorary Freeman and Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers, in recognition of her work for literacy. The arrangements were faultless, and the principal was protected without anyone noticing she was being protected. That is what it looks like done well. The professionals are still there, on both sides of the Atlantic... but the system around them on Saturday was not.
The King and Queen will be looked after by people who think about the room before they think about anything else. They are very good at what they do, but they should not have to be this good. Not in the capital of the oldest continuous republic in the world, and not in 2026.
Minister casts doubt on King Charles’ public walkabout during US state visit after White House press dinner shooting
Monday 27 April 2026 12:30 , Bryony Gooch
Minister casts doubt on King’s public walkabout during US state visit after shooting
Watch: Stop Trump Coalition protest against King's US state visit
Monday 27 April 2026 12:00 , Bryony GoochAnalysis: Why the King’s soft power will be more important than ever in wake of shooting
Monday 27 April 2026 11:30 , Bryony GoochWhy the king’s soft power will be more important than ever in wake of shooting
Watch: Washington DC prepares for King's arrival
Monday 27 April 2026 11:00 , Bryony GoochStop Trump Coalition: US state visit a 'slap in the face' to those struggling from cost of living
Monday 27 April 2026 10:30 , Bryony GoochA spokesperson for the Stop Trump Coalition has called the US state visit a national embarrassment, criticising the US president’s war in Iran and how it’s driving up prices in the UK.
Jake Atkinson said: “Keir Starmer sending the King to wine and dine with the warmonger-in-chief signals we are happy to green-light Trump’s illegal actions around the world, no matter how much chaos they cause.
“Ordinary people across the UK are struggling more and more with the cost of living whilst Trump’s war on Iran has driven up prices. Honouring Trump like this is a slap in the face to so many who are struggling, and suggests to the President he can continue violating international law and be rewarded with more pageantry,” he added.
The Stop Trump Coalition staged a mock state visit this morning with people in giant masks of King Charles and President Trump holding a giant prop missile with ‘COMPLICIT’ written across it.
“Being joined at the hip to Trump’s US is not just making us complicit in war crimes, but hurting the British people. From teaming up with Big Pharma to hike our medicines prices to pressuring us to drop our Digital Services Tax on the biggest tech companies, Donald Trump wants to extract as much as he can from us for the benefit of the super rich and mega-corporations in the US.
“The King’s refusal to meet with Epstein victims further reinforces that this visit is not to the benefit of anyone but Trump and the political elites. It should never have gone ahead.”
Hugo Vickers: Charles is the only person in Britain who can calm Trump down
Monday 27 April 2026 10:15 , Bryony Gooch
As Trump lashes out at the UK, only the King can pour oil on troubled waters
Watch: Trump says King Charles will be 'very safe' on his US state visit
Monday 27 April 2026 10:00 , Bryony GoochEmily Thornberry: 'I still remain anxious' about King's US state visit
Monday 27 April 2026 09:43 , Bryony GoochDame Emily Thornberry, Labour chairwoman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, has said she is “anxious” ahead of the King’s US state visit.
She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I still remain anxious about this, and I don’t think I’m really alone.
“It is a really high-wire act, and the (US) president is so unpredictable, we just don’t know what he’s going to say.”
Dame Emily said that “if anybody can pull it off, it is the King”, adding he was “up for the challenge”.
But talking about “potential problems”, she said: “There are a number of things that we’re at loggerheads on here, whether it’s Nato, Ukraine, Greenland, Chagos, the Falklands, the things he’s said about our armed forces, immigration, renewables, controlling social media.”
Mapped: Where King Charles will travel on the US state visit
Monday 27 April 2026 09:35 , Bryony GoochMajor milestones marked in the King's state visit
Monday 27 April 2026 09:20 , Bryony GoochThe historic visit, the King’s first visit to the US as monarch, will herald the start of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which came after forces led by George Washington defeated Charles’ forebear King George III’s army.
Melania Trump has led the preparations for the state visit to commemorate a number of milestones in US history. Highlights include Charles’ address to both houses of Congress and the royal couple commemorating the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that brought down New York’s Twin Towers.
Analysis: Why those who wanted to cancel the state visit were wrong
Monday 27 April 2026 09:12 , Bryony GoochDavid Maddox, The Independent’s political editor, explains:
The reason why all those like Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey were wrong about wanting to cancel King Charles’ state visit to the US this week is because it fundamentally misunderstands the role of the Royal family.
Sir Ed and a number of Labour MPs who were demanding the whole thing was scrapped because of Donald Trump’s policies and language directed at the UK and Sir Keir Starmer see the King going purely in terms of being an honour for the US president.
While this is true the far more important role is that Royal visits are the high point of UK foreign policy - in effect the King and Royal family are an extension of the diplomatic service in the Foreign Office.
So his arrival in the US this week to mark the 250th anniversary of it leaving the British Empire is not just significant and important but pivotal for healing a damaged special relationship between Britain and its most important ally.
President Trump reveres the Royal family and considers himself as a friend of King Charles who he has a huge amount of respect for. It offers the King a chance to use his own finely tuned skills as a diplomat built up over decades of public service to get the point of view over of His Majesty’s government and the interests of this country as well as some of his other realms like the Falkland Islands.
This in many ways is the best last chance to fix the most important alliance in the world while President Trump is still in the White House. Conversely, cancelling this week’s trip would have been a diplomatic disaster because it would have been taken as the worst kind of insult directed to a US President who does not take insults lying down.
We need to remember that the King has already been deployed to great effect by the Starmer government in terms of Trump’s own state visit to the UK last year which helped land a trade deal.
But beyond that the wider Royal family, in particular Prince William, who regularly speaks to Trump, have been at the heart of trying to keep a handle on this most turbulent of presidents.
In pictures: Stop Trump coalition protest state visit outside Buckingham Palace
Monday 27 April 2026 09:00 , Bryony Gooch
What's on the agenda for day one of King Charles' historic US state visit?
Monday 27 April 2026 08:43 , Bryony GoochKing Charles will arrive in the US this on Monday. It’s unclear just what time he’s set to arrive with the Queen, but he is expected to land in what will be the evening UK time.
He will be welcomed by President Trump and first lady Melania Trump; they are set to have a private afternoon tea as well as a tour of the White House’s new bee hives, nestled on the South Lawn.
They will later attend a garden party featuring guests that represent the connection between the US and the UK.
Inside the secret plots being designed to make the King’s US visit the most awkward in royal history
Monday 27 April 2026 08:34 , Bryony GoochInside the secret plots being designed to cause the King embarassment during US visit
Trump ‘not worried’ during attack by gunman at Washington black-tie dinner
Monday 27 April 2026 08:28 , Bryony GoochDonald Trump has said he was “not worried” during an armed attack on an event he was attending, which sparked security concerns over the King’s state visit.
The US president told CBS News that “we live in a crazy world” as he was asked about the chaotic scenes when a gunman attempted to storm the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night.
He also described the suspected assailant as a “pretty sick guy”.
Mr Trump, his wife and other senior members of the administration were bundled to safety by Secret Service agents as guests took cover under tables in the ballroom of the Washington Hilton after shots were fired nearby.
One officer was hit but was wearing a bulletproof vest and is expected to make a full recovery.
Despite the shooting, a planned royal visit by Charles and Camilla to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence is going ahead following discussions on both sides of the Atlantic.
Government refuses to confirm whether King's public walkabout will go ahead in US
Monday 27 April 2026 08:17 , Daniel Haygarth
Political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
A government minister could not confirm if the King's planned public walkabout on his state visit to the US would go ahead.
It comes after it emerged that his security was being reviewed following an attempted attack on Donald Trump at a dinner in Washington on Saturday night.
Asked about the walkabout, Emma Reynolds told Times Radio: "I can't comment specifically on the security provisions.
“But what I will say is that every measure is taken to protect the King and the Queen. And they will obviously have looked very carefully at the events of the weekend, which were very, very concerning.
"But every measure will be taken. The King's security is something that is planned and they schedule weeks and months in advance. But obviously, they will be looking at what happened over the weekend."
'Every measure will be taken to protect the King' in Washington, minister says
Monday 27 April 2026 08:10 , Dan HaygarthPolitical correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
"Every measure will be taken to protect the King and the Queen" in Washington, a government minister has said, adding that "it is right" that the pair will be proceeding with the planned state visit despite Saturday's attempted attack.
Emma Reynolds told Sky News: "Obviously every measure will be taken to protect the King and the Queen.
“And obviously, our security services work very closely with the American security services and in normal business as well, and every measure will be taken to protect him."
King and Queen to have tea at the White House this evening, reports say
Monday 27 April 2026 08:08 , Dan HaygarthCharles and Camilla have tea with the US president and first lady Melania Trump at the White House from 9:15 p.m UK time, according to Politico.
The Trumps will then take and King and Queen on a tour, including the White House’s new beehive.
'All appropriate security measures' in place for visit, ambassador says
Monday 27 April 2026 07:52 , Dan HaygarthThe King’s US state visit has “all appropriate security measures” in place, Britain’s ambassador to the US has said following what the White House has called an attempted assassination of president Donald Trump.
Sir Christopher Turner said UK and US security teams had been planning the trip for weeks before the incident at the media dinner, with changes possible “as we go”.
Sir Christopher, who replaced Peter Mandelson following his sacking over new revelations about his relationship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, said: “The real point is that our respective security teams have been in close touch for weeks.
“And any operational changes we have to make, we can make them as we go, and we are all very confident that all appropriate security measures are in place.”
Security teams in the UK and US worked through the night assessing the state visit after the president was endangered when shots were fired outside the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on Saturday evening in Washington.
Charles and Camilla will arrive in Washington on Monday for a four-day visit aimed at marking the 250th anniversary of American independence and strengthening the special UK-US relationship, which has been under strain in recent months.
King's state visit to go ahead as planned
Monday 27 April 2026 07:49 , Dan HaygarthThe King’s US state visit will go ahead as planned after what the White House has called the attempted assassination of president Donald Trump.
Charles and Camilla’s security arrangements were discussed in the wake of Saturday’s violent incident at a Washington media dinner where Mr Trump, the first lady and senior figures from his administration were bundled from the room by the secret service after shots were fired.
In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: “Following discussions on both sides of the Atlantic through the day, and acting on advice of government, we can confirm the State Visit by Their Majesties will proceed as planned.
“The King and Queen are most grateful to all those who have worked at pace to ensure this remains the case and are looking forward to the visit getting underway tomorrow [Monday].”
It is understood there will be some modest operational adjustments to one or two royal engagements during the trip but the overall plan remains as previously outlined.
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King’s US state visit will go ahead as planned after Washington shooting
