Two and a half centuries after the American colonies declared their independence from the United Kingdom under the reign of King George III, his descendant, King Charles III, arrived in the United States on Monday as transatlantic relations are strained and international security takes center stage.
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump welcomed King Charles and Queen Camilla upon their arrival. They posed for photos and exchanged words before heading to the Green Room. The couple then visited the south garden to admire a new beehive shaped like the White House, installed the previous week by the First Lady.
Both King Charles and Queen Camilla are committed beekeepers. The king owns at least three hives at his private residence in England, demonstrating his commitment to the environment and sustainable development.
After their visit to the White House, the royal couple attended an outdoor reception at the British embassy.
Trump Praises King, Criticizes Starmer
Tensions between the British government and Donald Trump, particularly regarding the war in Iran, had made the British monarch’s visit politically delicate.
In recent weeks, Mr. Trump has strongly criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer for his refusal to participate in American military strikes against Iran, calling him “not Winston Churchill,” the prime minister during World War II who coined the term “special relationship” to describe the ties between the UK and the US.
This is part of a broader disagreement between Mr. Trump and American NATO allies, whom he has called “cowards” and “useless” for refusing to join the attack on Iran.
Some Call for Trip Cancellation
Kristofer Allerfeldt, a professor at the University of Exeter and an expert in American history, explained that both governments had very different goals for this visit.
According to him, for Charles, this trip aims to “strengthen long-standing ties, showcase the monarchy’s persuasive power, and remind the world that Britain retains its diplomatic weight.”
For Donald Trump, it is more of a “media event,” emphasizing the image of a visit resembling a meeting between “two prestigious monarchs.”
Some British politicians fear that this trip could lead to significant embarrassment. Recent attacks by Mr. Trump on Pope Leo XIV have heightened these concerns.
The prince will deliver a speech to the American Congress on Tuesday. This is only the second time, after Queen Elizabeth II in 1991, that a British monarch will address both chambers in a joint session.
The king’s cherished causes, including the environment and interfaith harmony, contrast with those of Donald Trump. He is unlikely to highlight the differences, but Mr. Allerfeldt noted that, with his characteristic subtlety, the king could use his speech to convey a message.
