The president welcomed King Charles to the United States for the first state visit of his second term in office.
WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump rolled out the red carpets to welcome King Charles III and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom at the South Porticos of the White House on April 27.
The king and queen landed at Joint Base Andrews—where U.S. military personnel greeted them with a playing of both nations’ national anthems—before departing in a 29-car convoy of black vehicles headed to the White House on a four-day visit to the United States, coinciding with the country’s semiquincentennial celebration.
“Their majesties’ program will celebrate the historic connections and the modern bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States, marking the 250th anniversary of American Independence,” the Royal Family said in a statement.
Trump and Charles shook hands, exchanging pleasantries with the first lady and queen before the two couples posed for photographs.
The queen wore a Cartier brooch with the U.S. and U.K. flags, gifted to Queen Elizabeth during her 1957 state visit, while the First Lady wore a cream double-breasted suit designed by American Adam Lippes and Manolo Blahnik snakeskin pumps.
The group stopped for tea in the Green Room of the Executive Mansion, where fine silverware is stored and portraits of President John Quincy Adams and First Lady Louisa Adams adorn the walls.
A visit to the newest addition to the grounds, a beehive shaped like the White House, followed.
The royal couple are longtime advocates for bees, keeping hives at Buckingham Palace and their residences.
The group then departed for a garden party at the British Embassy.
Traditional pageantry will honor the king and queen with a state visit ceremony on April 26, including a 21-gun salute.
Trump is expected to deliver remarks during the South Lawn event.
The king is scheduled to address Congress on April 28, marking the first time since Queen Elizabeth II 35 years ago that a British monarch spoke to a joint session in the Capitol.
A bilateral meeting is slated for the Oval Office later in the day, followed by a state dinner in the White House dining room.
