King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrived in the United States on Monday, beginning a landmark four-day visit with a formal welcome at the White House by President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.
The royal couple landed at Joint Base Andrews just before 3 PM ET, where they were greeted by U.S. Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley and British Ambassador Christian Turner. Shortly after, they proceeded to the White House for a ceremonial reception.
President Trump and Melania Trump met the monarchs on the South Lawn, exchanging handshakes and warm greetings. Camilla and Melania shared additional cheek kisses as the foursome paused for photographs before heading inside for tea.
The visit includes a rare address by King Charles to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, a White House state dinner, and a visit to the 9/11 Memorial in New York. Security concerns had been raised ahead of the trip following a recent shooting near the White House Correspondents' Dinner, but the schedule proceeded as planned.
The meetings mark a significant moment in U.S.-U.K. relations, with the British monarch addressing American lawmakers for the first time since Queen Elizabeth II in 1991.