King Charles III Arrives in Washington, Addresses Congress on Tuesday After Shooting
King Charles III and Queen Camilla have initiated a four-day state visit to the United States, arriving at Andrews military airbase in Maryland. Their reception at the White House by President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump followed an incident in Washington DC on Saturday.
King Charles is scheduled to address the US Congress on Tuesday, where he is anticipated to express condolences regarding the recent attack. His speech is also expected to emphasise the imperative for international unity in defending democratic values amidst significant global challenges. The monarch will reportedly stress that despite contemporary disagreements between the US and the UK, the two nations have consistently found common ground.
The address to Congress will reportedly advocate for a “reconciliation and renewal” of the US and UK partnership, underscoring shared values of tolerance, liberty, and equality. Royal sources suggest the King will urge the defence of these principles, including support for NATO and Ukraine. He is expected to tell US lawmakers that the transatlantic alliance is founded 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”.
Upon their arrival in Maryland, the royal couple were greeted by US chief of protocol Monica Crowley and the British ambassador to the US, Sir Christian Turner. Following a meeting with the Trumps at the White House, the King and Queen attended a garden party at the UK embassy in Washington DC. This event, hosting over 600 guests with US and UK connections, featured British beef sandwiches, symbolising the first tariff-free imports under a recently negotiated trade deal.
Queen Camilla engaged with campaigners against domestic abuse, including Sandra Jackson from House of Ruth, an organisation supporting survivors. Michelle DeLaune, another advocate, highlighted the significance of such high-profile engagement with the issue. Calls for the King and Queen to meet survivors of Jeffrey Epstein were not met, citing concerns over legal processes. The state visit, undertaken on behalf of the UK government, represents a strategic exercise in soft power to bolster relations as the US observes its 250th anniversary of independence.
