WASHINGTON — Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived in the United States on Monday for a four-day visit, the first to the country by a British monarch in two decades.
The state visit, by far the most high-profile and consequential of Charles’ reign, marks the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence from British rule.
After landing at Joint Base Andrews, Charles and Camilla proceeded to the White House, where they were greeted by President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, who exchanged kisses on the cheek with the king and queen while the president shook their hands.
On arrival at the airbase in Maryland, the royal couple were greeted on the runway by the US chief of protocol Monica Crowley and the British ambassador to the US, Sir Christian Turner, among other dignitaries.
They were then given flowers by two children of UK service personnel stationed in the US, before a band performed the British and American national anthems.
The King and Queen went on to meet the Trumps, who greeted their visitors on the South Portico of the White House, with the famous building currently under much construction work.
The royal visitors had tea in the Green Room and were brought into the garden to see a newly-expanded beehive, rebuilt in the shape of a miniature White House.
This honey-coated piece of diplomacy was intended to appeal to King Charles, who is an enthusiastic supporter of bee-keeping.
Queen Camilla was wearing a brooch which combines the British and US flags, which was given to the late Queen Elizabeth II by the mayor of New York on a state visit in 1957.
That particular trip had been a diplomatic mission to rebuild the US and UK partnership after the Suez Crisis of 1956, which had put the two countries in dispute over a Middle East war.
King Charles and Queen Camilla then went to a crowded garden party attended by more than 600 people at the UK’s embassy in Washington DC. The guests had US and UK connections, with people from politics, science, charities and the military.
Among the political figures there were former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senator Ted Cruz and UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.
Queen Camilla stopped for some time to talk to a group of women representing organisations campaigning against domestic abuse.
“It’s very important to have such advocates and it’s a cause very close to her heart,” said Sandra Jackson, who had told the Queen about her work for House of Ruth, which supports survivors of domestic violence.
There have been calls for the King and Queen to meet survivors of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. But that hasn’t happened because of concerns about jeopardising the legal processes.
Jackson said she “respected their decision” and welcomed the attention that Queen Camilla was bringing to the subject.
On Tuesday, after a White House ceremonial military welcome, the King will deliver his speech to both houses of the US Congress, the first monarch since Elizabeth II in 1991 to make such a speech.
It follows a rocky time for US and UK relations, with President Trump critical of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the UK’s reluctance to get involved in the conflict in Iran.
Security is extremely tight after the shooting incident in Washington DC at an event attended by the president on Saturday.
King Charles, in his speech, is expected to say that in times of great international challenges, it is more necessary than ever to stand together to defend democratic values.
The King will say that despite current disagreements between the US and the UK, “time and again, our two countries have always found ways to come together”.
His address to Congress will call for “reconciliation and renewal” of the US and UK partnership and advocate for shared values of tolerance, liberty and equality.
He will urge the defence of those beliefs, whether through supporting Nato or protecting Ukraine, according to royal sources.
The King will tell US lawmakers that the transatlantic alliance is built on a “generosity of spirit and a duty to foster compassion, to promote peace, to deepen mutual understanding and to value people of all faiths and none”.
There will be a speech too from President Trump at a state dinner in the White House, at an event bringing together politicians and celebrities from the US and the UK. — Agencies
Source: Saudi Gazette