King Charles and Queen Camilla bid farewell to the Trumps before heading to Virginia after triumphant State Visit 

The King and Queen were welcomed back to the White House this morning by President Trump after a triumphant four-day State Visit.

His Majesty bid a formal farewell to the US leader and First Lady Melania in the Diplomatic Reception Room after their day in New York yesterday.

The couple, who arrived in an official vehicle, were welcomed outside the South Portico by the President and the First Lady and took photos after a small arrangement on the red carpet.

President Trump pointed to the King and said: ‘He is a great King.’ Asked by reporters what his favorite part of the visit was, Charles answered, but his answer was noticed.

As they departed about 20 minutes later, the Queen cheerfully waved to reporters both outside the car and through the half-open window as the couple left the White House.

As the car drove away, the President was seen making the ‘OK’ sign and was heard saying something like: ‘Great people. We want such people in our country. ‘They were really great.’

This was the last of five meetings between King Charles and President Trump, who has made no secret of his admiration for the British President.

While diplomats are under no illusions about the fickle nature of the US leader’s affections – British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is certainly putting a ‘naughty step’ – it is clear that the King has fulfilled hopes that he would prove to be a ‘Trump whisperer’.

Queen Camilla kisses Melania Trump on the cheek as Her Majesty is welcomed to the South Lawn of the White House for a departure ceremony – April 30, 2026

King III. Charles arrives at the White House ahead of his departure ceremony to meet with President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump – April 30, 2026

The warmth between the two men is evident as President Trump praises Charles, 77, as a great ambassador for his country.

His Majesty later paid tribute to the fallen at Arlington National Cemetery, one of the most important military memorial sites in the United States.

They laid a wreath and a camel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to commemorate the country’s war dead and honor the UK-US military partnership.

Queen Elizabeth II During her first State Visit to the United States in 1957, Elizabeth visited the cemetery and laid a wreath.

When the King and Queen arrived, there was a 21-gun salute and the UK and US national anthems were played before Their Majesties approached the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, accompanied by Major General Gant and Ambassador Monica Crawley.

Since 1921 it has provided a final resting place for an unidentified American soldier from the First World War, and ‘Unknowns’ from later conflicts were interred in 1958 and 1984.

Soldiers from nearby Fort Myer were first assigned to guard the Tomb during daylight hours in 1926, and the Tomb has been guarded 24 hours a day since 1937.

The King will lay a wreath on the grave and the Queen will lay a posy. A military band will play four muffled ruffles and taps before a moment of silent remembrance.

In the Arlington Exhibition Room, the King and Queen were joined by Executive Director Karen Durham-Aguilera and senior historian Dr. There will be a brief tour of the exhibition by Allison Finkelstein.

While posing for a photo in front of the White House, Trump pointed at Charles and called him the ‘greatest king’ – April 30, 2026

Mr. Trump chats with Charles and Camilla next to a smiling Melania. This was the last of five meetings between the King and the US President – 30 April 2026

Queen Camilla, King Charles, Donald Trump and Melania Trump stand outside the White House during the farewell ceremony – April 30, 2026

President Trump and Charles are smiling. The warmth between the two men was evident during the King’s State Visit on 30 April 2026.

Melania shakes the 77-year-old monarch’s hand before Her Majesty leaves. Charles and Camilla bid a formal farewell to US leader and First Lady Melania in the Diplomatic Reception Room – April 30, 2026

Charles and Melania kiss each other on the cheeks before the King and Queen Camilla leave the White House – April 30, 2026

President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump walk for a farewell ceremony with King Charles and Queen Camilla on the South Lawn of the White House – April 30, 2026

US President gives thumbs up and Melania waves as Charles and Camilla leave — April 30, 2026

US President and First Lady meet with Charles and Camilla in front of the White House on April 30, 2026 – April 30, 2026

Trump and King Charles shake hands before Her Majesty leaves the White House – April 30, 2026

Before leaving, they will also see the Canadian Cross of Sacrifice, which is dedicated to U.S. citizens who volunteered for the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) and lost their lives in the First World War.

Before the United States entered the war in April 1917, more than 40,000 U.S. residents were enrolled in the CEF.

At the cross, His Majesty will meet two groups of serving military personnel from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand before departing with another 21-gun salute.

This afternoon they will head to Virginia for a more relaxed end to their trip and enjoy a lively Block Party (the equivalent of a street party in the US) in the beautiful town of ‘Front Royal’.

Excited locals have been busy since 5am preparing and lining up for front-row seats to see the visiting royal family.

Some spoke to local television station ABC13.

‘We set out early to be a part of the event, to be a part of the experience here. We never dreamed of the king, the queen, or even Virginia, let alone Front Royal. So we had to be a part of it,’ Mark Anderson said.

Kaden Anderson said: ‘So, I’m excited. Since this is a small place, not many big things happen here. So the king and queen of England are coming here from all over, which is lovely and I’m so excited to see it.’

Residents say they hope the visit will help attract visitors to the region, which is seen as the gateway to the spectacular Blue Ridge Mountains.

Mr Trump raises his hand in the ‘OK’ sign as Charles and Camilla leave the White House – April 30, 2026

Honor guards from all branches of the U.S. military service march before Charles and Camilla arrive to lay wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery – April 30, 2026

King Charles lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery – April 30, 2026

Charles and Camilla are joined by Major General Antoinette Gant and Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier – 30 April 2026

Charles pays his respects by visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery – April 30, 2026

Queen Camilla leaves a bouquet of flowers – Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, April 30, 2026

‘I’m proud they chose this place to come and visit. You know, it’s like we’re backed into a corner and for something this prestigious to come and visit. And after the ancestry thing that most of us, all of us, do, we might have a little bit of an English flavor in us,” Brenda Taylor said.

Although there are various theories about the origin of the town’s name, the most widely accepted theory is that it takes its name from a giant oak tree, the ‘royal’ tree of England, that stood in the square during colonial times.

The local militia trained here and soldiers were often shouted ‘In front of the Royal Oak!’ the order was given. And this was shortened over the years to ‘Front Royal’.

It is now a picturesque town of 15,000 on the banks of the Shenandoah River, with a typical American Main Street.