Trump and Melania greet King Charles and Queen Camilla at the White House as security worries overshadow historic meeting

King Henry III arrived in the nation’s capital under a cloud of security and fierce political tension. Charles and Queen Camilla officially began their four-day state visit on Monday.

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were on hand to greet the royal couple at the White House on Monday afternoon.

Amid West Wing construction and new security concerns following the horrific shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner over the weekend, the royal family was greeted by the President and First Lady, who wore a buttery double-breasted wool crepe suit from Adam Lippes and Manolo Blahnik snake heels.

Trump welcomed King Charles with a handshake, while the First Lady kissed the Queen on both cheeks.

The King, Queen and Trumps later enjoyed tea in the lavish reception area of ​​the White House’s Green Room.

On arrival, Her Majesty had swapped her pink Dior coat dress for a white chiffon dress with black beaded embroidery by Anna Valentine.

Then the couples changed places; As President Trump and the Queen shook hands, Melania was kissed on the cheeks by the King as he leaned down to reach her.

He then gently tapped her on the shoulder and invited her to stand next to him for a photo.

Reporters stopped on the South Lawn of the White House to photograph the power couple

King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at Joint Base Andrews just outside Washington, D.C.

The royal family was greeted by US Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley after landing.

The King, Queen and Trumps later enjoyed tea in the lavish reception area of ​​the White House’s Green Room

Two couples took a walk to visit beehives on the White House grounds

But behind the smiles and handshakes, a bitter diplomatic storm brews over NATO and the ongoing war in Ukraine

Trump pointed to the ground and asked Her Majesty to stand next to his wife.

They had pleasant conversations as the cameras clicked; Trump pointed out some landmarks, including the tree his mother, Queen Elizabeth, planted during her visit in 1991.

Melania smiled at King Charles before her husband invited them for tea and to see the White House beehives.

Coming exactly two and a half centuries after his ancestor King George III lost the American colonies, the 77-year-old monarch steps onto US soil at a highly volatile time for the ‘special relationship’.

The glittering splendor of the tour, designed to commemorate the 250th anniversary of America’s independence, is unfolding under a massive security blanket in the wake of Saturday’s horrific shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

With Trump also attending the event, the incident triggered an emergency 11th-hour security review of the King’s travel plan.

Addressing the weekend scare, Buckingham Palace released a statement saying the monarch was ‘greatly relieved to hear that the president, the first lady and all guests were unharmed’.

King Charles and Queen Camilla stepped off the plane for their first state visit to the United States as monarchs.

After leaving the airport, Her Majesty arrived at Blair House, the beautiful guest house adjacent to the US leader’s official residence, where they would stay for the duration of their four-day visit, where they briefly retired.

They were taken by car and a heavily armed security team for the short journey to the South Lawn; where the Trumps were waiting for them outside the iconic White Portico.

The couple had been out a few minutes before a car carrying the monarch’s banner and the American flag entered.

But behind the smiles and handshakes, a fierce diplomatic storm is brewing.

The king’s visit comes as a furious Trump continues to criticize British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for his refusal to support US military operations in Iran.

Trump recently dismissed the British leader in a harsh rebuke, calling him ‘not Winston Churchill’ but, ironically, the World War II icon who coined the term ‘special relationship’.

The president’s grief was not limited to Downing Street; he expanded his attacks to other NATO allies, calling them ‘cowardly’ and ‘useless’ for avoiding the Iran conflict.

But Trump insists this deep political freeze will not cast a shadow over royal guests this week.

In a speech in March, he deliberately distanced Charles from NATO disputes, making clear that the monarch “had nothing to do with it”.

Instead, the President praised the King enthusiastically, repeatedly calling him a ‘friend’ and a ‘great man’.

An important historical turning point will occur on Tuesday when King Charles addresses a joint meeting of Congress.

The visit comes at a time when Trump is constantly criticizing Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The President and First Lady prepared a busy schedule for the King and Camilla

Asked by the BBC whether a state visit could help mend broken US-UK ties, Trump responded largely in the affirmative.

‘He’s great. He’s a great guy. “The answer is absolutely yes,” the President said.

Trump also frequently boasts about his “wonderful” trip to the UK last September with Melania for a second state visit, complete with guards, brass bands and a lavish Windsor Castle banquet.

The President and the First Lady, who are now the hosts, have prepared a busy schedule for the King.

Queen Camilla stepped out of her car to meet President Trump as his state visit began in Washington, D.C., on Monday afternoon

Although Charles has visited the United States 19 times, this is his first official state visit to the country since his accession to the throne in 2022.

The couple’s itinerary also includes a one-on-one meeting between the President and the King, a large garden party and a sumptuous state dinner.

An important historical turning point will occur on Tuesday when Charles addresses a joint meeting of Congress.

He is reminiscent of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who addressed MPs in 1991. Following in Elizabeth’s footsteps, she will be only the second English monarch to do so.

Although Charles has visited the United States 19 times, this is his first official state visit to the country since his accession to the throne in 2022.

Starmer has been adamant in defending this royal meeting as a vital diplomatic tool. He insisted that ‘the monarchy has been able to strengthen important international alliances through its ties, often over decades’.