Trump and Melania roll out the purple carpet throughout wet official welcome for King Charles and Queen Camilla: Live updates

On Apr 28, 2026

President Trump and First Lady Melania have rolled out the red carpet for British royals King Charles and Queen Camilla in an official welcome on their state visit.

The official arrival will begin with a traditional military ceremony by the US Army Herald Trumpets, followed by national anthems of both countries played by the US Marine Band and a Presidential Salute Battery rendering a 21-gun cannon salute.

Charles and Queen Camilla have a jam-packed schedule for their second day in Washington, DC, which includes a bilateral meeting with Donald Trump, his address to Congress and a formal state dinner.

In a historic address to congress at 3pm, the king is expected to emphasize the two countries’ long history and shared democratic values during his speech in an effort to help strengthen the special UK-US relationship, which has been under serious strain in recent months.

The visit is the most important foreign trip of the King’s reign so far, but it now has the added element of heightened security concerns after an attempted assassination of the president on Saturday at the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

After the royal couple wraps up in DC, they will head to New York to honor 9/11 victims and then to Virginia to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence.

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Trump and Melania roll out the red carpet for royal welcome

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania are giving King Charles and Queen Camilla a grand welcome for their second day at the White House.

The royals will have a traditional military arrival ceremony by the US Army Herald Trumpets, a ‘tradition that dates back to the 18th century,’ the first lady’s office said.

The American and British national anthems will be played by the US Marine Band, followed by the Presidential Salute Battery rendering a 21-gun cannon salute.

‘Following an Inspection of the Troops and a Troop in Review, facilitated by the US Army Fife and Drum Corps, the President will deliver remarks from the South Lawn,’ the first lady’s office said in a press release.

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 28: A general view of the White House on day two of the State Visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the United States of America, on April 28, 2026 in Washington, DC. Their majesties are formally welcomed with a traditional military arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, the highest diplomatic honour extended by the United States to a visiting Head of State which dates back to the 18th century. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

President Trump and First Lady arrive to greet King Charles and Queen Camilla

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have arrived at the South Lawn to greet the King and Queen.

US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump arrive to greet Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla during an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, on April 28, 2026. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images)

Outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook spotted at White House

Tim Cook, who recently announced he is stepping down as Apple’s chief executive in September, was spotted at the White House lawn for the British royals’ arrival.

Apple CEO Tim Cook holds an umbrella ahead of arrival ceremony of Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 28, 2026. REUTERS/Nathan Howard

Trump aides arrive for royal welcome

Donald Trump’s top aides, including Vice President JD Vance, his chief of staff Susie Wiles and several cabinet members, have arrived at the White House.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance arrive to attend an arrival ceremony for Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 28, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 28: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on day two of the State Visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the United States of America, on April 28, 2026 in Washington, DC. Their majesties are formally welcomed with a traditional military arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, the highest diplomatic honour extended by the United States to a visiting Head of State which dates back to the 18th century. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 28: White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller (C) attends a state arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House on April 28, 2026 in Washington, DC. President Trump and King Charles III will participate in a number of activities including a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office, with the king later addressing a joint meeting of the United States Congress. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 28: (L-R) Second Lady of the United States Usha Vance, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth arrive for a state arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House on April 28, 2026 in Washington, DC. President Trump and King Charles III will participate in a number of activities including a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office, with the king later addressing a joint meeting of the United States Congress. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent gather to attend the arrival ceremony of Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 28, 2026. REUTERS/Nathan Howard

First Lady shares highlights of Monday’s royal visit

First Lady Melania Trump’s office shared a video of the highlights from Monday’s royal visit to the White House.

Pictured: Preparations for rainy royal arrival

Royals bring British weather to DC

Ahead of the ceremony there were gray skies over the South Lawn and a very British drizzle began.

The forecast had been for sun so many of the several hundred guests on the grass had come unprepared.

They huddled under a smattering of umbrellas as they awaited the President and King.

A protective green tarpaulin was placed over the dais, which was positioned in front of the South Portico between a giant flagpole and the presidential putting green.

Despite the gloom overhead, guests including school children enthusiastically waved small Union Jacks as the band played.

Member of the military and guests arrive before President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump greet Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla during a State Visit arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

British Olympian Tom Daley meets royals

Former British Olympian Tom Daley met the King and Queen at the embassy garden party on Monday.

Daley, who now lives in the United States with his husband, told People that Camilla asked about his children.

‘She asked what I was up to now and told her about my knitting, and she asked about my kids. She couldn’t believe how old they were now,’ he said.

Daley also said he spoke to Charles about knitting.

‘He said he used to knit when he was 8 years old. He said he wasn’t very good at it but said he knew it was very good for mental health and maybe should give it another go.’

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 27: Queen Camilla chats with retired diver and former Olympian Tom Daley and CNN Chief White House Correspondent Kaitlan Collins (L) during a Garden Party on day one of her State visit to the United States of America with King Charles III on April 27, 2026 at the White House in Washington, DC. King Charles III and Queen Camilla will visit the nation's capital, New York City, and Virginia during the trip arranged to celebrate the 250th anniversary of US independence. (Photo by Ian Volger - Pool/Getty Images)

King Charles III meets Tom Daley during a garden party at British Embassy in Washington DC, on day one of the state visit to the US. Picture date: Monday April 27, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Samir Hussein/PA Wire

British ambassador says ‘we all share the same objective on Iran’

British ambassador to the US Christian Turner said the UK and the US ‘share the same objective on Iran.’

‘There was a disagreement originally about the preemptive start to the war, but since then, the UK has been allowing its bases to be used for US bombers to make defensive strikes,’ he told Fox and Friends this morning.

‘We’ve had our planes flying alongside the rest of the defensive US systems in the region.’

He said that UK wants the war to end and to ‘hopefully get a deal that opens the Straits of Hormuz for all of our economies.’

Royals describe spending time with ‘brilliant people’ at garden party

The Royal Family posted on social media highlighting their time at yesterday’s garden party at the British Embassy.

‘This evening, Their Majesties spent time with brilliant people contributing to the UK-US relationship,’ the Royal Family wrote on X.

‘Hosted at the British Ambassador’s Residence, the first royal event to ever take place here was another Garden Party, held during King George VI and Queen Elizabeth I’s State Visit in 1939.’

King Charles US visit schedule

Here is what’s on the schedule for King Charles and Queen Camilla’s second day in the US.

10.35am ET – Royals arrive at the White House
11.10am ET – Guestbook signing and official gift exchange
11.40am ET – Donald Trump and King Charles participate in a bilateral meeting at the Oval Office
11.45am ET – First Lady Melania Trump and Queen Camilla join students in exploring US-UK history through innovation at the White House tennis pavilion
3pm ET – King Charles delivers at joint address to Congress
7pm ET – Royals return to the White House
8.05pm ET – The President and First Lady host the King and Queen for a state dinner

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 27: Queen Camilla, King Charles III, U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on day one of the State Visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the United States of America, on April 27, 2026 in Washington, DC. King Charles III and Queen Camilla will visit the nation's capital, New York City, and Virginia during the trip arranged to celebrate the United States of America's 250th anniversary of its independence. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Inside King and Queen’s afternoon sit-down with the US President and First Lady

The US President and First Lady sipped on one of King Charles’ favourite teas as he and Queen Camilla kicked off day one of their state visit.

The royals drank the monarch’s favoured Earl Grey blend and enjoyed cakes and sandwiches as they arrived in Washington, DC for what is expected to be a landmark trip amid strained transatlantic ties.