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Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived in the United States on Monday afternoon for a four-day trip, welcomed by self-proclaimed royal fan U.S. President Donald Trump even as the U.S. president remains at odds with the British government over the Iran war.
The state visit, by far the most high-profile and consequential of Charles’ reign, comes on the 250th anniversary of the U.S. declaration of independence from British rule and is the first visit to the country by a British monarch in two decades.
Charles and Camilla touched down at Joint Base Andrews around 2:30 p.m. ET, where they were greeted by diplomatic, state and federal officials as well as senior members of the British embassy and accepted flowers from the children of British military families stationed in the U.S.
They proceeded to the White House, where they were greeted by Trump and first lady Melania Trump, who exchanged kisses on the cheek with the king and queen while the president shook their hands. The four stood briefly for photographers before retreating inside for a private tea.
The week’s schedule also includes an address to Congress, a lavish state dinner at the White House and a stop in New York City. The Washington events take place with much of the capital city still on edge following the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner shooting on Saturday.
While Trump is an unabashed fan of the British royal family who regularly describes Charles as a “great man,” he has had differences with the British government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Starmer is hoping the visit will shore up the future of the two allies’ “special relationship,” which is at its lowest point since the Suez Crisis in 1956.
The long-planned visit has become enmeshed in a political spat between the two countries over the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, which led Trump to voice deep displeasure with the British government for failing to support the offensive.
The 77-year-old king, who is still undergoing treatment for cancer, will address Congress the next day — just the second time a British monarch has done so.
The royals will then head to New York where they will commemorate those killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks ahead of the 25th anniversary. The queen will also mark the centenary of children’s stories featuring Winnie-the-Pooh.
The U.S. trip concludes in Virginia, with the king meeting people involved in conservation work, a nod to his half-century of environmental campaigning.
King Charles is set to begin his state visit to the United States and meet with Trump administration officials on Monday. Carolyn Harris, Royal commentator and historian says U.S. President Donald Trump enjoys the ‘pomp and circumstance’ of royal visits, even amid U.S.-U.K. political tensions.
Britain’s ambassador to the U.S., Christian Turner, said the visit would underscore the shared history, sacrifice and common values between the two countries, adding that the approach would be a very British one: “Keep calm, carry on.”
While Trump has eased his criticism of Britain in recent days over its response to the Iran war, an internal Pentagon email laid out how the U.S. could review its position on Britain’s claim to the Falkland Islands as punishment for its lack of support, further straining ties.
One issue off the table during the visit is the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Royal sources have said it was not possible for the royal couple to meet any of Epstein’s victims during the tour, as some had requested, in order to avoid affecting any potential criminal cases.
Charles’ brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, whose reputation and royal standing have been destroyed over his links to the late U.S. sex offender, is currently facing police inquiries over those connections. The former Prince Andrew has denied any wrongdoing.