During their state visit to the United States, King Charles and Queen Camilla laid flowers at the National September 11 Memorial in New York, marking their first visit to the site that honors the nearly 3,000 victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks.
The royal couple met with families of the deceased and spoke with first responders who participated in rescue efforts. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and former Mayor Michael Bloomberg were among the dignitaries present as the King and Queen placed a bouquet of white roses beside the memorial's reflecting pools.
A handwritten note accompanying the flowers read: "We honour the memory for those who so tragically lost their lives on 11th September 2001. We stand in enduring solidarity with the American people and in the face of their profound loss. Charles R Camilla."
The visit occurred under tight security, with a heavy police presence, road closures, checkpoints, and helicopters overhead. The King and Queen also spoke with representatives from charities supporting victims' families and educational groups preserving the memory of the attacks.
Earlier in his trip, King Charles highlighted the significance of 9/11 in a speech to the U.S. Congress, calling for continued NATO support and emphasizing the alliance's role in aiding the U.S. after the attacks. He also drew parallels to the need for resolve in defending Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Queen Camilla visited the New York Public Library to promote literacy. She read Winnie-the-Pooh to children and donated a replacement for the missing stuffed toy Roo, completing a set of original toys from the 1920s that inspired the stories. The event was attended by actress Sarah Jessica Parker and former Vogue editor Anna Wintour.
King Charles also visited Harlem Grown, an urban farming initiative, where he fed chickens and planted lavender and mustard greens. The royal couple later attended a reception for the King's Trust, joined by celebrities including Lionel Richie, Stella McCartney, and Martha Stewart.