King Charles III becomes only the second British monarch to address Congress, speaking Tuesday as Trump hosts a White House state banquet marking 250 years of American independence.
The last British monarch to address a joint session of Congress was Queen Elizabeth II in 1991, when the Soviet Union still existed and the internet had not yet reached most American homes. On Tuesday, 28 April 2026, King Charles III will speak from the same podium — 35 years later, in a city bracing simultaneously for a stalled Middle East war, nuclear alerts from Ukraine, and a presidential state dinner scheduled for that same evening.
The four-day state visit began Monday, when President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump greeted King Charles and Queen Camilla at the South Portico of the White House. The two couples toured the newly expanded White House beehive on the South Lawn before attending a garden party at the British Ambassador's Residence, hosted by Ambassador Christian Turner, which drew roughly 600 guests from across American and British society.
King Charles III · Queen Camilla · UK state visit
Tuesday carries the heavier symbolic freight. The Congressional address, scheduled for 11 a.m. ET in the House chamber, will focus on "the Anglosphere alliance and shared democratic values," according to advance notes shared by the British Embassy on 27 April. Charles is expected to speak for approximately 25 minutes. No British monarch has stood in that chamber since Queen Elizabeth II did so in May 1991, following the Gulf War — a visit she used to emphasise the transatlantic partnership's importance at the Cold War's close. Charles faces a considerably more fractured political landscape: the House chamber he enters today holds a Republican majority that has, in several high-profile votes, resisted foreign aid commitments that British officials privately describe as alarming.
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“Tuesday carries the heavier symbolic freight.”
The state banquet follows that evening at the White House. The menu, released Monday by the White House press office, features Virginia Blue Ridge lamb, Maryland crab, and a dessert course named "250" in reference to the independence anniversary. Two hundred and eighty guests are expected, including Supreme Court justices, Congressional leaders, and a cross-section of American cultural figures selected by the White House Social Office. The guest list has not been released in full.
Key Takeaways
→King Charles III: The state visit marks the 250th anniversary of American independence and is designed to reinforce the US-UK alliance on trade, security, and diplomacy.
→Queen Camilla: The state visit marks the 250th anniversary of American independence and is designed to reinforce the US-UK alliance on trade, security, and diplomacy.
→UK state visit: The state visit marks the 250th anniversary of American independence and is designed to reinforce the US-UK alliance on trade, security, and diplomacy.
→US Congress: The state visit marks the 250th anniversary of American independence and is designed to reinforce the US-UK alliance on trade, security, and diplomacy.
King Charles III · Queen Camilla · UK state visit
Not everyone views the visit through the same ceremonial lens. A coalition of Caribbean governments has renewed its call for formal reparations discussions ahead of Charles's New York appearance on 29 April, where he will address the United Nations General Assembly. The Caribbean Community, known as CARICOM, issued a statement on 25 April arguing that the 250th anniversary of US independence is "an appropriate moment to confront, rather than celebrate, the full history of the British Empire." Buckingham Palace issued no formal response.
The timing of the visit for Charles personally is striking. He was diagnosed with cancer in February 2024, has undergone treatment since, and returned to full public duties in late 2024. Aides describe him as energised by the significance of the trip, though his schedule has been deliberately paced, with morning rest periods built around the official engagements. Queen Camilla has anchored several of the heavier-contact events.
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**The bigger picture**
The visit — timed to coincide with America250, the federal commission overseeing independence anniversary programming — reflects a precise diplomatic calculation. UK officials need American goodwill on trade after unresolved tariff disputes that have persisted since early 2025. Trump's relationship with Charles is described by aides to both leaders as "warm but not sentimental" — a phrase that does the necessary diplomatic work without overpromising. The joint statement issued after Monday's White House meeting referenced the Strait of Hormuz by name, a signal that the UK and US are publicly aligned on the need for unrestricted maritime navigation as the Iran standoff continues.
After the Congressional address, Charles will travel to New York on 29 April for the UN appearance and meetings with cultural institutions. Virginia is scheduled for 30 April — the final stop before the royal couple's departure.
A final Buckingham Palace briefing note, leaked to The Times of London on 27 April, captures the impossible brevity of Charles's task on Tuesday: "25 minutes in which to acknowledge 250 years."
#King Charles III#Queen Camilla#UK state visit#US Congress#White House#Trump#US independence 250#British royals#US UK relations#America 250
Why is King Charles III visiting the United States?
The state visit marks the 250th anniversary of American independence and is designed to reinforce the US-UK alliance on trade, security, and diplomacy. It runs from 27 to 30 April 2026, with stops in Washington D.C., New York City, and Virginia.
Has a British monarch addressed Congress before?
Yes. Queen Elizabeth II addressed a joint session of Congress in May 1991, following the Gulf War. King Charles III's address on 28 April 2026 marks only the second time a British monarch has done so.
What is on King Charles's schedule during the US visit?
Monday 27 April: White House arrival and garden party at the British Ambassador's Residence. Tuesday 28 April: Congressional address at 11 a.m. ET and a White House state banquet. Wednesday 29 April: New York City and a UN General Assembly address. Thursday 30 April: Virginia.
What are CARICOM's demands during Charles's visit?
The Caribbean Community issued a statement on 25 April 2026 calling for formal reparations discussions, arguing that the 250th US independence anniversary is an appropriate moment to address the legacy of the British Empire. Buckingham Palace has not responded.
