King Charles III and Queen Camilla landed in the United States on Monday at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington for a four-day state visit, the first for the royal couple in the country. Their plane, bearing the Union Jack colors, touched down at a military base near Washington, where the couple was greeted by several officials on a red carpet. Upon arrival, Queen Camilla wore a brooch uniting the American and British flags, replicated in precious stones.
The state visit, from April 27 to 30, is intended to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence and celebrate the ties between the two countries.
“It will proceed as planned,” the Buckingham Palace stated on Sunday, a few hours after an armed assailant attempted to force his way into a dinner in the presence of the American president. The confirmation of the trip pleased the Republican leader, who is fascinated by the royal pomp, quick to praise the monarch and lavish in criticism against British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“He’s a great guy,” Donald Trump said of the king in an interview with Fox News on Sunday, “he represents his country like no one else can.” Charles III was relieved to hear that Donald Trump emerged “safe and sound” after gunshots were fired during the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner, outside the room where the president was.
The British Ambassador to the United States, Christian Turner, spoke on Sunday of the “immense enthusiasm” of the American president for this visit, where Donald Trump reciprocates the grand reception he received in the UK last year.
The president and his wife Melania Trump hosted their guests for a tea followed by a tour of the beehives at the White House. On Tuesday, the most ceremonial day of the trip will begin with a military welcome ceremony. Donald Trump and Charles III will have a meeting in the Oval Office, while their wives will attend an event focused on education and artificial intelligence.
The same day, the British sovereign is expected to deliver a speech to the American Congress – the first of its kind since Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 – in an attempt to ease the current diplomatic tension by invoking the centuries-old relationship, full of ups and downs, between the UK and its former colony turned superpower. The two couples will gather in the evening for a gala dinner, held in a fairly exclusive setting in a reception room at the White House.
On Wednesday, moving to New York, the king and queen will visit the 9/11 Memorial. They will see Melania and Donald Trump one last time on Thursday before returning to the UK. Charles III will strive to ensure that the tension between London and Washington does not disrupt the carefully choreographed ceremony – a task that is far from easy.
The monarch must avoid fueling strong criticisms in the UK about this unpopular trip, and must be careful not to portray a humiliating march designed to soften the American president’s image. However, the implicit mission also involves appeasing Donald Trump, who, while personally favorably disposed towards him, is perturbed by the British authorities’ reservations regarding the war in Iran, among other contentious issues.
In addition to criticizing Keir Starmer, the American president has disrupted the transatlantic “special relationship” by targeting the British army and navy. He has also downplayed the contributions made by the British when fighting alongside Americans in Afghanistan.
The trip is also overshadowed by another explosive issue: the Epstein case and the past friendship Andrew, the king’s brother, had with the deceased pedophile. Observers will be watching for any subtle references to this matter, which continues to shake the British monarchy.
