King Charles III and Queen Camilla have touched down in Washington for the first official state visit by a British monarch to the US in 20 years. The programme kicked off with a private meeting with President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. The trip will include the King’s address to the US Congress and a tour of the time capsule project marking the 250th anniversary of US independence, which will only be opened in two and a half centuries’ time. This visit shows the ‘special relationship’ between the two countries, and includes taking part in events about the environment and charity, as well as a trip to New York that’s been planned.
The British monarch, with Queen Camilla, arrived in Washington, where he started his official state visit. This is Charles III’s first trip to the United States as king. CNN just reported that when the royal couple got there, they had a private tea meeting with US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. They later joined a garden reception organised by the British Embassy.
Around 600 guests attended the event, including people from politics, science, charity, environmental initiatives and the creative industries.
The King is supposed to be giving a speech at a joint session of the US Congress on Tuesday.
As part of the visit, there’s also going to be a presentation of a symbolic time capsule project dedicated to the 250th anniversary of the United States. It’s going to be placed under the Washington Monument, and it’ll be opened in 250 years’ time, during the celebrations for the nation’s 500th anniversary.
So, according to Buckingham Palace, there’s a capsule like this already in Trafalgar Square in London, right under the George Washington statue.
Also, Charles III is planning to visit New York as part of his trip, but they’re keeping the details of the itinerary under wraps for security reasons.