King Charles III visit live updates: Charles, Camilla welcomed at White House

King Charles III visit live updates: Charles, Camilla welcomed at White House

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.

ABC News

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, 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.Now, 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'

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."

Will Oliver/EPA/Shutterstock - PHOTO: President Donald Trump and Britain's King Charles III attend a welcome ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, April 28, 2026.

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."

Nathan Howard/Reuters - PHOTO: President Donald Trump salutes during the national anthem, as he and Britain's King Charles attend an arrival ceremony for King Charles and Queen Camilla on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, April 28, 2026. Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: President Donald Trump and Britain's King Charles III participate in an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, April 28, 2026.

Apr 28, 10:55 AMKing Charles, Queen Camilla arrive for ceremonial welcome at White House

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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.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images - PHOTO: Queen Camila, King Charles III, President Donald Trump, and First lady Melania Trump pose during a state arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, April 28, 2026 in Washington.

Apr 28, 10:09 AMStrained US-UK alliance in spotlight amid state visit

Matt Mcclain/Reuters - PHOTO: U.S. and British flags, and pins are prepared on a chair ahead of the arrival ceremony at the White House for Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla amid their state visit to the U.S., in Washington, April 28, 2026.

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

Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters - PHOTO: President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla walk on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, April 27, 2026.

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

Alex Brandon/AP - PHOTO: President Donald Trump and Britain's King Charles III look at the White House garden and bee hive on the South Lawn of the White House, April 27, 2026, in Washington.

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.

Apr 27, 4:45 PMRoyals arrive at the White House

King Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived at the White House. The king and queen were greeted by President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump on a red carpet outside the White House after landing at Joint Base Andrews earlier today.The couples posed for photos briefly.

Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greet Britain's King Charles III and Britain's Queen Camilla upon arrival at the South Portico of the White House in Washington, April 27, 2026. Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters - PHOTO: President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump host Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla for afternoon tea on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, April 27, 2026.

Apr 27, 3:30 PMBritish Embassy shares behind-the-scenes garden party prep

The British Embassy shared abehind-the-scenes look onMonday at how it is preparing for a garden party welcoming Charles and Camilla to the U.S.The garden party, hosted at the embassy residence in Washington, D.C., will include 650 guests who will snack on four types of tea sandwiches as well as scones and desserts.The embassy’s head chef said the team is preparing nearly 3,000 tea sandwiches for the party.

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