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| L-R: Queen Camilla, sans hijab, King Charles, sans head rag, President Trump and Melania Trump |
The state visit, by far the most high-profile and consequential of Charles' reign, marks the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence from British rule.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump welcome Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla on the day of an afternoon tea and McDonald's at the White House.
Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla touched down in the United States on Monday for a four-day state visit. They were greeted by self-proclaimed royal fan Donald Trump, even as the president continues to have some very public differences with the British government over the war in Iran.
This whole production is easily the biggest and most important trip of Charles' time on the throne. It celebrates 250 years since we told the British to pound sand with the Declaration of Independence, and it is the first visit by a British monarch to America in two decades.
The royal couple landed at Joint Base Andrews, where diplomatic types, state officials, federal bigwigs, and British embassy staff rolled out the welcome mat. Some kids from British military families stationed here even handed over flowers. From there it was straight to the White House for the full dog-and-pony show.
Trump and Melania greeted them warmly. There were cheek kisses from the First Lady with the king and queen, firm handshakes from the president, a quick pose for the cameras, and then everyone headed inside for private tea . . . and did someone say 'McDonald's?'
The rest of the week features a Tuesday address to Congress, a lavish state dinner back at the White House, and a Wednesday jaunt up to New York City. All of this is happening while Washington remains a bit jumpy after the White House Correspondents' Association dinner shooting on Saturday.
Trump has always been an unabashed fan of the British royal family and has regularly called Charles a "great man." That said, he has had some sharp disagreements with Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government.
Starmer is probably hoping this visit papers over the cracks and rescues the "special relationship," which is currently in the worst shape it has seen since the Suez Crisis in 1956. The long-planned trip has gotten tangled up in a nasty political fight between the two countries over the US-Israeli war on Iran. Trump has made no secret of his deep displeasure with the British for not backing the offensive.
The 77-year-old king, who is still battling cancer, will address the US Congress on Tuesday. He will be only the second British monarch to do so.
After that the royals head to New York City to commemorate the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks ahead of the 25th anniversary. Camilla will also mark the centenary of the Winnie the Pooh stories. The trip wraps up in Virginia, where Charles will meet with folks doing conservation work. That is a nice little hat tip to his decades of environmental lecturing.
The rest of the week features a Tuesday address to Congress, a lavish state dinner back at the White House, and a Wednesday jaunt up to New York City. All of this is happening while Washington remains a bit jumpy after the White House Correspondents' Association dinner shooting on Saturday.
Trump has always been an unabashed fan of the British royal family and has regularly called Charles a "great man." That said, he has had some sharp disagreements with Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government.
Starmer is probably hoping this visit papers over the cracks and rescues the "special relationship," which is currently in the worst shape it has seen since the Suez Crisis in 1956. The long-planned trip has gotten tangled up in a nasty political fight between the two countries over the US-Israeli war on Iran. Trump has made no secret of his deep displeasure with the British for not backing the offensive.
The 77-year-old king, who is still battling cancer, will address the US Congress on Tuesday. He will be only the second British monarch to do so.
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| Tea, crumpets, and McDonald's |
After that the royals head to New York City to commemorate the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks ahead of the 25th anniversary. Camilla will also mark the centenary of the Winnie the Pooh stories. The trip wraps up in Virginia, where Charles will meet with folks doing conservation work. That is a nice little hat tip to his decades of environmental lecturing.
It is not known if he plans to spend time alone, but he did inquire as to the direction of Mecca.
Britain's ambassador to the US, Christian Turner, said the visit would highlight the shared history, sacrifice, and common values between the two countries. He added that the approach would be very British: "Keep calm, carry on."
Trump has dialed back his criticism of Britain on the Iran issue in recent days. Even so, an internal Pentagon email floated the idea of reviewing the US position on Britain's claim to the Falkland Islands as payback for the lack of support. That certainly did not help the mood.
Britain's ambassador to the US, Christian Turner, said the visit would highlight the shared history, sacrifice, and common values between the two countries. He added that the approach would be very British: "Keep calm, carry on."
Trump has dialed back his criticism of Britain on the Iran issue in recent days. Even so, an internal Pentagon email floated the idea of reviewing the US position on Britain's claim to the Falkland Islands as payback for the lack of support. That certainly did not help the mood.
One topic Charles will be working overtime to dodge is the Jeffrey Epstein mess. Royal sources say it simply is not possible for the couple to meet any of Epstein's victims during the trip, despite requests, because it could mess with potential criminal cases.
Charles' brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has seen his reputation and royal status torched by his ties to the late sex offender who supposedly committed suicide. The former Prince Andrew is facing police inquiries over those connections.
Charles' brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has seen his reputation and royal status torched by his ties to the late sex offender who supposedly committed suicide. The former Prince Andrew is facing police inquiries over those connections.
He has denied any wrongdoing, but there are photos.
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