King Charles to Make Historic US State Visit

The British monarch's trip will mark 250 years since US independence.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 4:35pm

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A cinematic painting of two shadowy figures walking down a quiet urban street, with warm sunlight and deep shadows creating a pensive, nostalgic mood.The British royals' carefully choreographed state visit aims to reinforce historic ties, but political tensions loom large.NYC Today

King Charles III and Queen Camilla will embark on a four-day state visit to the United States starting on April 27, 2026. The trip will include events in Washington, D.C., New York City, and Virginia to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence. The visit comes amid tensions between the US and UK over issues like the UK's refusal to join a US war against Iran.

Why it matters

This will be the first state visit by a British monarch since Queen Elizabeth II's trip in 1991. The visit is an opportunity to reinforce the long-standing ties between the US and UK, but it also risks being overshadowed by political tensions and calls for the royals to meet with victims of Jeffrey Epstein.

The details

The royal couple's itinerary includes a White House state dinner, an address to a joint meeting of Congress, and private meetings with President Trump. They will also participate in cultural events alongside Native American communities in Virginia and meet with 9/11 families and business leaders in New York. However, they will reportedly avoid meeting with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse.

  • The state visit will take place from April 27 to May 1, 2026.
  • It will mark the 250th anniversary of US independence.

The players

King Charles III

The reigning monarch of the United Kingdom.

Queen Camilla

The wife of King Charles III and the Queen Consort of the United Kingdom.

President Trump

The former President of the United States.

Keir Starmer

The current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Ed Davey

The leader of the Liberal Democrat party in the UK.

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What they’re saying

“Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey labeled Trump 'a dangerous and corrupt gangster' in Parliament on Monday and warned against putting the king beside him.”

— Ed Davey, Liberal Democrat leader

“Starmer called Trump's Iran rhetoric 'wrong' but defended the visit as a chance to reinforce long-running ties.”

— Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

What’s next

The king and queen will continue their state visit to Bermuda after their events in the US.

The takeaway

This high-profile state visit by the British royal family comes at a delicate time in US-UK relations, with tensions over issues like the UK's stance on Iran. The visit will be an opportunity to showcase the enduring alliance between the two countries, but it also risks being overshadowed by political controversies and calls for the royals to address past abuses.