King Charles Begins Historic US State Visit, Set to Address Congress as First British Monarch
WASHINGTON — King Charles III and Queen Camilla officially began their state visit to the United States on Tuesday, marking the first visit by a reigning British monarch since the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2007. Charles will become the first British sovereign to address a joint session of the US Congress.
The visit comes at a time of strained transatlantic relations, with ongoing disputes over trade policy, NATO spending, and differing positions on several international issues. According to CNN, the King’s address to Congress is expected to call for UK-US unity in the face of global challenges, while carefully avoiding direct commentary on sensitive domestic political topics.
Upon arriving in Washington, the royal couple first attended a garden party hosted at the British Embassy. Charles is scheduled to hold a closed-door meeting with President Trump. The Guardian reported that the meeting will take place away from media cameras, with both teams working to avoid any public friction. The New York Times noted that Prince Harry’s absence from all official events on the itinerary further highlights the ongoing rift within the royal family.
The Guardian’s live coverage indicated that Charles’s Congressional address will likely focus on shared concerns such as climate change, technological cooperation, and democratic values rather than directly commenting on US domestic politics. A White House official stated: “The King’s role is to unite, not to divide, and that is the significance of this visit.”
BBC documented the first day of the royal visit through a photo gallery. The visit will span several days, with the King and Queen planning to travel to additional US cities beyond Washington.
Analysts broadly view the visit as a significant diplomatic gesture at a time when transatlantic ties have been tested by disagreements over trade, defense spending, and multilateral cooperation. The King’s address to Congress is seen as an opportunity to reaffirm the foundations of the UK-US “special relationship” and project continuity in one of the world’s most enduring alliances.
Source: BBC, CNN, The Guardian