Britain’s King Charles III is set to call for renewed unity between the United Kingdom and the United States during a state visit to Washington, as he seeks to ease tensions over the Iran war.
On Tuesday, the second day of a four-day visit, the king will receive a full ceremonial welcome at the White House from President Donald Trump. The programme includes a traditional arrival ceremony featuring a 21-gun salute and an inspection of troops.
King Charles and Queen Camilla will also meet the president and First Lady Melania Trump in the Oval Office for private talks before attending a formal state dinner later in the evening.
The visit’s most prominent moment is expected when the king addresses Congress, becoming the first British monarch to do so since Queen Elizabeth II in 1991. In his 20-minute speech, he is expected to emphasise “reconciliation and renewal” and underline the importance of shared democratic values.
“Time and again, our two countries have always found ways to come together,” he is expected to say, while noting that defending common ideals remains “crucial for liberty and equality” amid global challenges.
The visit comes at a sensitive time in relations between London and Washington. Tensions have risen after President Trump criticised the UK government for refusing to support his military actions in Iran.
The king, aged 77, is expected to highlight the long-standing alliance between the two countries, describing it as “one of the greatest alliances in human history” as the United States marks the 250th anniversary of its independence.
The first day of the visit was more informal. The president hosted the royal couple for tea at the White House and showed them beehives on the grounds. He also displayed a painting depicting an assassination attempt he survived in 2024, just two days after a shooting at a gala dinner he attended.
Later, the king and queen attended a garden party at the British embassy, where traditional refreshments, including cucumber sandwiches and scones, were served.
The UK government is seeking to use the visit to strengthen ties with Washington, partly by appealing to President Trump’s well-known interest in the monarchy. His mother was born in Scotland, and he himself made a state visit to Britain last year.
However, differences remain. President Trump has repeatedly criticised Prime Minister Keir Starmer over his opposition to the Iran war, as well as his government’s immigration and energy policies. While the prime minister has defended the state visit, public opinion is divided. A YouGov poll in early April found that 48% of Britons supported cancelling the visit.
After Washington, the royal couple will travel to New York on Wednesday, where they will visit the 9/11 memorial, before departing for Bermuda on Thursday.
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