In pictures: King Charles arrives in Washington DC 
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump host King Charles III and Queen Camilla for tea (Getty)
The royal couple attend a tour of the White House beehives (Reuters)
King Charles at a tea party at the British Embassy (Reuters)
Holly Evans28 April 2026 07:26
King chats about knitting with diving star Tom Daley during US state visit
The King ended the first day of his much-anticipated state visit to the United States by chatting to former Olympic diving champion Tom Daley about their shared love of knitting.
Charles met the retired star during a Washington garden party on Monday, where Camilla spoke to leading figures from domestic abuse charities and in a lighter moment confessed to feeling “jet lagged”.
The garden party came ahead of the King’s address to both houses of Congress on Tuesday.
Among the guests were treasury secretary Scott Bessent, senator Ted Cruz, former speaker Nancy Pelosi, current speaker of the souse Mike Johnson and Prince William’s school friend Guy Pelly.
King Charles III meets Tom Daley during a garden party at British Embassy in Washington DC (Samir Hussein/PA Wire)
Former Olympic diving champion and celebrity knitter Mr Daley was among the 650 guests, as was football star Esme Morgan, a European title-winning Lioness who plays for Washington Spirit.
Mr Daley, 31, who lives in LA with his husband and two children, jetted in for the day to attend the garden party.
He said: “Knitting is my outlet for all my creativity, my mindfulness and my meditation and the King has tried knitting many a time.
“He said he tried knitting when he was eight and he wasn’t very good but he said he might pick it back up – he knows it’s very good for mental health.
“But I want to try and get it back into the school curriculum and maybe he can help me do that.”
Holly Evans28 April 2026 07:13
King Charles delivers a sarcastic quip as comedian tries his hand at an impression
King Charles III offered a glimpse of his trademark dry wit when comedian Matt Friend performed an impression of him during a garden party in Washington.
The moment unfolded as the King and Queen Camilla mingled with guests at the British Embassy on the first day of their US visit.
Standing nearby was England footballer Esme Morgan, who watched as Friend delivered his take on the monarch.
The King’s response was brief but pointed. “Keep working on it,” he said, drawing laughter from the group.
Morgan later described the encounter as surreal, noting how relaxed and engaging the King appeared as he moved through the crowd, pausing to chat and share light moments with guests.
“It’s surreal being over here in America and having them here too, and such a special occasion, sort of celebrating the relationship between the US and the UK,” Morgan said.
Shweta Sharma28 April 2026 06:39
Details of King Charles’ historic address to Congress
King Charles will address the US Congress later today with a message of unity between the UK and the US, promoting the “special relationship” at a time of differences between the UK government and president Donald Trump’s administration over the war on Iran.
The King’s address, scheduled to begin at 3pm EDT (8pm BST), will be only the second by a British sovereign to the US Congress, after his mother Queen Elizabeth II spoke to both houses in 1991.
It is a central event of the state visit – the most high-profile of Charles’ reign – and will be followed by a state dinner on Tuesday night.
The King’s speech is expected to last about 20 minutes, a palace source said, and touch on issues including Nato, the Middle East and Ukraine. While written with inputs and advice from the government, much of the language and tone comes from Charles himself, the source said.
Its central message will focus on challenges facing both nations, stressing that the two countries can promote international security and prosperity by defending their shared values.
Despite periodic differences, the king will say, “Time and again, our two countries have always found ways to come together,” and will describe the partnership as “one of the greatest alliances in human history,” the source said.
Trump, a vocal admirer of the British royal family who often calls Charles a “great man,” has nonetheless clashed with Starmer’s government.
Shweta Sharma28 April 2026 06:23
Charles to tell Congress that US-UK relationship is one of ‘reconciliation and renewal’
While the UK and US have not always agreed on everything, the nations’ shared traditions mean that “time and again, our two countries have always found ways to come together”, the King is set to tell Congress.
The monarch’s remarks in a speech to both chambers on Tuesday will be seen as a tacit acknowledgement of recent transatlantic strains over the Iran war, which have put Donald Trump and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at loggerheads.
Charles is also expected to make a brief reference to the shooting at a Washington dinner attended by the US president on Saturday night and, in a show of solidarity and support, offer “the highest regard and friendship of the British people to the people of the United States” on the 250th anniversary of American independence.
It is only the second time a British monarch has addressed a joint meeting of Congress, the first being the late Queen Elizabeth in 1991.
Nick Lester28 April 2026 06:00
King Charles is under pressure to meet Epstein victims
Members of Congress have called on King Charles to address the scandal surrounding Jeffrey Epstein during his high-profile state visit to the US.
Some members of Congress have urged the monarch to meet with Epstein’s victims during his visit, though there is no indication that such an engagement is on his schedule.
The controversy has also touched the royal family more directly through Charles’ brother, Prince Andrew, who was arrested earlier this year over misconduct allegations he has denied.
Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna publicly called on the King to at least acknowledge the issue during his expected address to Congress, reflecting the pressure building around the visit.
Shweta Sharma28 April 2026 05:42
Archbishop praying for ‘wonderful’ King and Queen during US visit
The Archbishop of Canterbury has said she is praying for the King and Queen as they embarked on a four-day state visit to the US, describing them as “wonderful people”.
The royal trip comes amid security concerns in the wake of the weekend shooting at a Washington dinner attended by Donald Trump and strained transatlantic ties over the Iran war.
Dame Sarah Mullally made her remarks following a historic meeting with the Pope at the Vatican.
Asked if she sympathised with the King on having to walk a difficult diplomatic tightrope on the US visit, the most senior Anglican cleric said: “I always hold His Majesty the King in my prayers and also the Queen in my prayers.
“And I pray for them for this trip, as always, and they are wonderful people who offer hospitality and greetings to so many people”.
Aine Fox28 April 2026 05:30
Scones and roasted British beef: What was served at the garden party
Guests at the British ambassador’s residence were given a distinctly British welcome this afternoon, as a garden party marked the state visit of King Charles and Queen Camilla with a menu steeped in tradition.
The spread leaned into classic flavours, with delicate finger sandwiches taking centre stage, from Scottish smoked salmon with lemon and black pepper to roasted British beef paired with horseradish.
There were also lighter options such as cucumber and dill, alongside combinations like West Country cheddar with fig.
Britain’s King Charles III attends a garden party at the British Embassy on day one of King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s State Visit to the United States of America (Getty)
Savoury bites extended beyond sandwiches, with offerings including aged cheddar and chive quiche and neatly prepared tomato, basil, cucumber and olive tarts.
The sweet table showcased a range of quintessential British desserts.
Guests could choose from scones served with strawberries and Devonshire clotted cream, slices of Bakewell tart, ginger cake and the ever-reliable Victoria sponge.
A table is set for US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to host Britain’s King Charles III and Britain’s Queen Camilla for tea (AFP/Getty)
Traditional fruit cake sat alongside more contemporary flavours like raspberry, white chocolate and lemon cake, rounding out the selection.
To accompany the food, guests were served tea from Fortnum & Mason, reinforcing the afternoon’s British tone, while Hambledon sparkling wine offered a celebratory touch.
Shweta Sharma28 April 2026 05:17
King Charles to be second British monarch to address Congress
King Charles will address the US Congress Tuesday, becoming the second British monarch in history to do so.
Charles’ mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, was the first British monarch to address US lawmakers on Capitol Hill in 1991 during the George H. W. Bush administration.
Maira Butt28 April 2026 05:00
Drones, special forces and undercover agents: Inside the King’s ‘ring of security’ during his US state visit
Maira Butt28 April 2026 04:30