King Charles greeted by President Trump at White House at start of US visit | BBC News

Added: 2026-05-05

[00:00:00]King Charles and Queen Camila have arrived at the White House for the start of their 4-day state visit to the US after being greeted in front of the cameras on the steps outside. An official picture has been released of them taking tea together. Is a visit with perhaps more jeopardy than usual given President Trump's propensity for off-the- cuff remarks. And of course, it's a visit of some diplomatic sensitivity as relations between the president and the prime minister have soured over the war in Iran. Number 10 is hoping the king will be able to help towards smoothing over the current rift.

[00:00:32]Our senior royal correspondent Daniela Ralph reports from Washington.

[00:00:38]>> Despite much talk of diplomatic tension and strain, it was a warm welcome to Washington for the king and queen from the president and first lady. The king's first state visit to America as monarch and President Trump is hosting his first state visit of his second term in office. It is an important show of friendship during a highly secure and highly choreographed trip. And there was even time for an afternoon tea and chat before the ceremonial aspects of the visit kick in tomorrow.

[00:01:12]Earlier at Andrews Military Air Base, the King and Queen arrived, greeted by officials from the British Embassy and the White House, many of whom have been working on the diplomatic sensitivities of events over the next few days. On paper, it is the most difficult state visit of the king's reign.

[00:01:32]The attempted attack on President Trump on Saturday night has further charged a challenging trip, but security reviews have led to only minor changes to the King and Queens program. When the president visited Windsor in September, security concerns meant he didn't leave the castle walls. Every event happened away from the public within the safety of a royal residence. The plans this week for the king are not as restricted.

[00:02:01]And from his host, there has been reassurance.

[00:02:04]>> The White House grounds are really safe.

[00:02:06]>> This area of not very many acres. It's really safe. And he'll be staying here now. I believe he's going to a couple of other locations because he's here for a few days. He's a great guy. Oh, he they called and and they are so looking forward to being here.

[00:02:25]>> Over the next four days, a king and queen will carry out a series of engagements. The key moment will be tomorrow when the king addresses a joint meeting of Congress and then in the evening joins the president at a glamorous state dinner at the White House. On Wednesday, the king and queen will be in New York where they'll visit the 911 memorial. And then an official goodbye from the president and first lady. On Friday and Saturday, the king goes solo traveling to Bermuda, a British overseas territory with a focus on environmental and cultural engagements.

[00:03:01]>> You know, unfortunately, Kier is not Winston Churchill.

[00:03:03]>> And then there is a president showing little restraint in his criticism of the UK from personal attacks on the prime minister to questions over the sovereignty of the Faulland Islands. But his love of the British royal family is a diplomatic weapon. Well, he loves the affirmation that being with royalty gives him, especially with British royalty. Uh he describes his two meetings with Queen Elizabeth as among the top highlights of his entire life.

[00:03:32]They're not going to solve the war in Iran with this royal visit, but it can make the landscape a little friendlier, a little smoother between the two countries.

[00:03:42]The king won't want to provoke the president, but he will want to promote the power of the UK US alliance.

[00:03:52]Well, Daniela, as you mentioned, the king is due to speak to Congress tomorrow. Are you getting any indication as to what he might say?

[00:04:00]Well, Fiona, that speech to Congress tomorrow is a key moment of this trip.

[00:04:05]The king will become only the second British monarch to make an address to a joint meeting of Congress. The last time that happened, his mother did it in 1991. Uh we are told the speech will be around 20 minutes long. Uh the government has been heavily involved in the content, but I think a lot of the tone and the language of it will be very much the king's own. We are expecting right at the top of the speech the king to reference events here in Washington at the weekend, that attempted assassination of the president, talking about offering solidarity and sympathy to the president. But he will also say that he is bringing with him the highest regard and friendship of the British people to the people of the United States. The overall message of the speech is one of partnership in challenging times. And I think rather pointedly the king will say that historically our two countries have not always got on but he will say that time and again our two countries have always then found ways to come together. Um, we are expecting some personal touches from the king in his speech to Congress as well. Uh, we're likely to hear him reference his personal faith and his military service and royal sources say he will also talk about topical issues.

[00:05:19]So, expect references to NATO, to Ukraine, and to the Middle East. And he will finish his speech by saying that the relationship between America and the UK is one of the greatest alliances in human history.