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In pictures: King Charles and Queen Camilla begin US state visit

Matthew Tuckerand
Anna Lamche
News imageAFP via Getty Images Britain's King Charles III and Britain's Queen Camilla are greeted by US Protocol Chief Monica Crowley as they arrive at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on April 27, 2026.AFP via Getty Images

King Charles III and Queen Camilla have arrived in the US at the start of their four-day state visit to the US - the first since Queen Elizabeth II's state visit in 2007.

The trip, which comes as the US approaches the 250th anniversary of its independence from Britain, is aimed at celebrating the strong relationship between the two countries.

News imageGetty Images The U.S. Air Force band and military honor guard prepare ahead of the arrival of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on day one of the State Visit on April 27, 2026 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Getty Images
News imageGetty Images A plane carrying King Charles III and Queen Camila lands on day one of their State Visit to the United States, on April 27, 2026 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.Getty Images
News imageGetty Images A plane carrying King Charles III and Queen Camila taxis on day one of their State Visit to the United States, on April 27, 2026 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.Getty Images

As the royals' plane landed, the red carpet was rolled out.

News imageGetty Images Members of the U.S. military roll out a red carpet at the foot of the stairs to the plane carrying King Charles III and Queen Camila on day one of their State Visit to the United States, on April 27, 2026 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.Getty Images
News imageGetty Images Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla disembark the plane on arrival for a state visit to the United States at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., April 27, 2026Getty Images

King Charles and Queen Camilla descended the stairs of the aircraft as they began their four-day visit.

News imageReuters Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla disembark the plane on arrival for a state visit to the United States at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., April 27, 2026.Reuters
News imageGetty Images King Charles III and Queen Camila disembark their plane as they arrive on day one of their State Visit to the United States, on April 27, 2026 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.Getty Images

King Charles was welcomed by the White House's head of protocol, Monica Crowley, and the UK ambassador to the US Sir Christian Turner.

News imageReuters Britain's King Charles is welcomed by Chief of Protocol of the United States, Ambassador Monica Crowley, as he arrived with Queen Camilla for a state visit to the United States at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., April 27, 2026.Reuters
King Charles was welcomed by Ambassador Monica Crowley, Chief of Protocol of the United States, as he arrived with Queen Camilla in Maryland

The King and Queen were greeted with flowers from children.

News imageReuters Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla are welcomed after they disembarked the plane on arrival for a state visit to the United States at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., April 27, 2026.Reuters

After walking through a guard of honour, a military band played both the US and UK national anthems.

News imageAFP via Getty Images Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla are greeted by US Protocol Chief Monica Crowley as they arrive at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on April 27, 2026.AFP via Getty Images

The royal couple then went on to meet Donald and Melania Trump at the White House for afternoon tea.

News imageSuzanne Plunkett/PA Queen Camilla, in a white dress, is greeted by Melania Trump, in cream. Donald Trump wears a suit, as does King CharlesSuzanne Plunkett/PA
News imageReuters The royal couple, in formal dress, greet Donald and Melania Trump on a red carpet. In the background two soldiers salute in front of UK and US flagsReuters
News imageReuters U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump pose for a picture with Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla, all dressed formally, standing on a red carpet in front of two saluting soldiersReuters
News imagePA Queen Camilla and Melania Trump, both in light-coloured dresses, follow Donald Trump and King Charles, both in dark suits, down a red carpetPA
News imageReuters The royal couple and the Trumps, all formally dressed, talk over tea in room with green wallsReuters
News imagePA The royal couple, formally dressed, smile while they talk to the Trumps inside the White House, with their backs turned to the cameraPA
News imagePA King Charles III and Queen Camilla join US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania, all dressed formally, in a green garden, beside a beehive in the shape of the White HousePA
The royal couple were shown a beehive shaped like the White House, part of a long-running honey-making programme
News imageReuters The couples, all formally dressed, walk together through the White House gardenReuters