King Charles and Camilla begin historic US state visit amid security concerns.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are set to commence their inaugural State Visit to the United States as reigning monarchs, marking a historic milestone that has not occurred since Queen Elizabeth II's 2007 trip to commemorate the Jamestown settlement. The U.K. Embassy emphasized that this high-profile engagement will serve to honor the shared history between the two nations, underscore the expansive economic, security, and cultural ties forged in recent years, and reinforce the profound people-to-people connections binding their communities. Spanning four days and coinciding with the 250th anniversary of American independence, the itinerary includes stops in Washington, D.C., New York, and Virginia, where the royal couple will engage with top government officials and diverse community groups.

The timing of this diplomatic mission coincides with a significant disturbance in the nation's capital, following a shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday. At the Washington Hilton Hotel ballroom, President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, First Lady Melania Trump, and other senior officials were evacuated after a gunman opened fire on Secret Service agents in the lobby before being neutralized. The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Cole Allen of Torrance, California, shot a Secret Service officer wearing a ballistic vest before being subdued. The injured agent is expected to make a full recovery and was released from the hospital on Sunday, while Allen faces federal charges including assaulting a federal officer and using a firearm during a crime of violence, with additional charges likely pending.

Despite the violence, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the State Visit will proceed exactly as scheduled. A spokesperson stated, "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 spokesperson added, "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." A palace source further revealed that Charles and Camilla reached out privately to the President and First Lady to express their sympathies to those affected and to thank the security services for preventing further injury.

The royal journey begins in Washington, D.C., where they will be welcomed by President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. On Monday, April 27, the couple will attend a private tea at the White House. Their schedule also encompasses a garden party, a ceremonial military review, and a bilateral meeting attended by the President and the King, while the Queen and First Lady conduct a separate meeting. According to the press release, "His Majesty, accompanied by The Queen, will deliver an address to Congress," an event that will be only the second time a British Monarch has spoken to a joint session of Congress, following Queen Elizabeth II's address at the Capitol in 1991. The visit will conclude with a state dinner hosted by the Trumps at the White House. Before departing Washington, the King and Queen will lay a wreath and flowers in honor of those who lost their lives, reaffirming the enduring military alliance between the United States and Britain.

President Trump expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming royal visit to the United States during a recent interview with the BBC, describing King Charles as "a fantastic man" and affirming his confidence that the two nations can remain lasting allies. The schedule outlined in the official press release details a journey that begins in Washington before the monarchs head to New York.

In New York, the King and Queen are set to undertake a series of engagements designed to highlight the modern bond between the U.K. and the U.S., focusing on robust economic and cultural connections that unite people from both nations. The itinerary also includes celebrations for community initiatives aimed at improving lives across New York and the wider United States. A particularly poignant moment is scheduled for the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, where the royals will visit first responders and the families of those who lost their lives.

Their New York itinerary extends to an organization dedicated to teaching children affected by food insecurity how to farm sustainably, an event at The Queen's Reading Room, and a gathering with business and financial leaders representing the full breadth of the economic relationship driving growth in both countries. The visit will conclude in New York with a reception celebrating the work of The King's Trust in shaping young lives across America, while showcasing cultural links, including the U.K.'s world-leading creative industries.

From New York, Charles and Camilla will travel to Virginia to meet with local community organizations and attend performances by Appalachian groups with deep historical ties to the region. They will also participate in a block party marking America's 250th birthday. The monarchs will then split their time in the next phase of the trip; the King will visit one of America's national parks to learn about environmental protection programs, while the Queen will tour a farm to explore the U.S. horse racing industry, which maintains long-term links with the sport in the U.K.

This high-profile visit arrives just a few months after President Trump and First Lady Melania traveled to the U.K. in September 2025, making Trump the first elected political leader to be invited for two separate U.K. state visits. He was previously invited for a state visit in June 2019 by Queen Elizabeth II during his first term in office.