King Charles US visit live: Monarch to hold events in New York and meet 9/11 families after historic speech to Congress

Explaining King Charles’ 1814 White House ‘redevelopment’ prank
King Charles was greeted with laughter as he touched on the turbulent shared history of Britain and the United States at a historic state dinner at the White House on Tuesday.
The monarch noted Donald Trump’s controversial ballroom designs in the East Wing and reminded that the British also attempted “real estate development at the White House in 1814,” referring to the burning of much of the capital by British forces.
Here’s what happened when England burned the White House during the War of 1812:
James Reynolds29 April 2026 15:30
Summary: King Charles will visit New York to commemorate 9/11 victims
King Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla, are expected to commemorate the victims of the September 11 attacks in New York on Wednesday, on the third day of their visit to the United States.
Charles and Camilla will begin their day in New York with a ceremony at the September 11 memorial in lower Manhattan, where the twin towers of the World Trade Center collapsed in 2001.
The king is expected to meet with mayor Zohran Mamdani at the ceremony.
He will then travel to Harlem to visit a grassroots community organization that has created an urban farming initiative to combat food insecurity, local media reported.
Meanwhile, Camilla will celebrate AA Milne’s character Winnie the Pooh’s 100th birthday on behalf of charity The Queen’s Reading Room.
The tour follows an eventful day filled with careful symbolology and gestures, amid tense relations between Washington and London.
James Reynolds29 April 2026 15:00
British Ambassador to Washington says America’s only ‘special relationship’ is with Israel, not Britain
In comments likely to further fuel the Trump administration’s growing hostility towards Downing Street, Sir Christian Turner also said it was “remarkable” that the Jeffrey Epstein scandal had failed to bring down any major figure in the US.
The comments will also irritate King Charles, who is currently visiting the White House and was greeted with a speech from Donald Trump, who hailed the “tenacious bond” between the two countries.
Nicole Wootton-Cane29 April 2026 14:30
Watch: King Charles’ standout jokes as he wowed the room in his state banquet speech
Nicole Wootton-Cane29 April 2026 13:30
Five key takeaways from King Charles’ historic US Congress speech
In his historic speech to both houses of Congress, King Charles centered transatlantic harmony and received multiple standing ovations and enthusiastic responses.
His mother was Queen Elizabeth II. She became the second monarch, after Elizabeth, to stand and speak before representatives at the iconic U.S. Capitol. The King is currently visiting Washington DC on a four-day state visit; This visit is something many hope will appease US President Donald Trump, as relations with the UK are currently in a difficult state.
Key takeaways from the speech include his remarks about UK-US relations, his defense of NATO and the lack of mention of Epstein’s survivors.
Bryony Gooch has everything you need to know below:
Nicole Wootton-Cane29 April 2026 13:00
Starmer says King’s visit is ‘a powerful reminder’ of special relations with US
Sir Keir Starmer said the King’s visit to the US was a “powerful reminder” of the special relationship between the US and the UK.
Opening Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, the prime minister said: “His Majesty the King’s state visit is a powerful reminder of the deep and special relationship we have with the United States.”
Sir Keir was criticized by President Trump for his refusal to send military aid to the war in Iran.
Nicole Wootton-Cane29 April 2026 12:30
Read King Charles’ full US Congress speech as he jokes with Trump and salutes the alliance
The King acknowledged victims of sexual abuse in the wake of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and underlined the “joint strength” of the UK and US to support survivors in his speech to Congress.
When Britain and America drew on their shared values to come together, he said: “I believe that is the special element of our relationship.”
Charles became only the second British monarch to speak to a joint session of Congress. His mother was Queen Elizabeth II. Elizabeth made a similar speech in 1991, emphasizing the historical ties between the two countries and the importance of democratic values.
You can read his full speech below:
Nicole Wootton-Cane29 April 2026 12:00
Diplomacy on a plate: Examining the menu at the state banquet for King Charles
The full menu for Tuesday night’s state dinner was revealed as President Donald Trump and Melania Trump welcomed King Charles and Queen Camilla.
The dinner celebrated the relationship and was accompanied by a speech from the King, in which he thanked Mr Trump for a “wonderful dinner” and touched on the “difficult moments” between the two countries.
The menu featured many classic French dishes, including Dover sole meuniere and potato pavement, and elements of the banquet presentation were chosen to reflect the “long and enduring friendship” between the UK and the US.
The spring theme was also echoed throughout the dinner, with fresh seasonal flowers on the table that a White House spokesman said were “inspired by the beauty of English gardens.”
You can read the full menu below:
Nicole Wootton-Cane29 April 2026 11:42




