King Charles III and Queen Camilla will travel to the United States for a state visit in late April 2026, with President Trump hosting the royal couple at the White House for what both sides have described as a “momentous” occasion marking the 250th anniversary of American independence. The visit, confirmed by Buckingham Palace, will be the first state visit to the US by a British monarch since Queen Elizabeth II’s trip in 2007, and the first of King Charles’s reign.
The Schedule: April 27-30
President Trump confirmed the dates as April 27-30, 2026, with the centrepiece of the visit being a state banquet dinner at the White House on the evening of April 28. Trump described the occasion in characteristically lavish terms, promising a “beautiful, beautiful evening” for the royal guests and predicting the event would be “one of the most talked-about dinners in Washington history.” The King and Queen will also visit New York as part of the trip, meeting civic leaders and attending events linked to the anniversary celebrations, before continuing to Bermuda — Charles’s first visit to the British overseas territory as monarch.
A Historic Address to Congress
Among the most significant elements of the visit will be a formal address by the British monarch to a joint session of Congress — a rare honour that underscores the depth and symbolic importance of the US-UK relationship. Only a handful of foreign heads of state have been given the privilege of addressing both houses of Congress in the Capitol, and a British monarch doing so in the context of America’s 250th anniversary will have particular resonance.
Diplomatic Sensitivity
The visit is not without its complications. Several groups, including some anti-war activists and human rights organisations, have called for the visit to be cancelled or scaled back given the ongoing Iran conflict and the US administration’s conduct during the war. Buckingham Palace has been careful to describe the trip in ceremonial and cultural terms, emphasising the anniversary of American independence rather than framing it as an endorsement of any particular foreign policy.
Charles is known within royal circles for his carefully calibrated approach to political neutrality, and palace aides are understood to have spent considerable time preparing briefings that will allow the King to engage warmly with Trump and US audiences without being drawn into commentary on the Iran situation or other contentious policy areas.
Trump’s Enthusiasm
President Trump has been publicly enthusiastic about hosting the King, calling it “one of the great honours” of his second term and referring to the “incredible relationship between our two great nations.” The White House has been planning the logistics of the visit for several months, with the state dinner expected to be one of the most elaborate events hosted there since Trump returned to office in January 2025.
The UK-US Relationship in 2026
The state visit comes at a significant moment in the transatlantic relationship. The UK has been an active military partner in the Iran conflict, providing drone interception support and logistics assistance, and has sought to maintain close diplomatic engagement with Washington throughout. Prime Minister Starmer’s relationship with Trump has been tested at various points, but Downing Street has consistently sought to frame it as one of managed partnership rather than subservience.
The King’s visit provides an opportunity for both sides to publicly demonstrate the enduring vitality of the special relationship at a moment when it is under both strain and scrutiny.
Royal Preparations
Planning for the visit has been underway since early 2026. The King’s schedule of public engagements in New York and Washington is expected to include meetings with business leaders, cultural institutions, and community organisations involved in the anniversary celebrations. Queen Camilla will undertake a parallel programme of engagements focused on her areas of particular interest, including literacy and domestic violence awareness. The visit is expected to generate extensive media coverage both in the UK and across the United States.