King Charles III and Queen Camilla kick off state visit at White House
President Trump and first lady Melania Trump warmly welcomed King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the White House on Monday, kicking off a series of events during the royal family’s four-day trip to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.
The visit will include a White House reception, a military welcome ceremony, a state dinner, a tour of the newly expanded White House hive, and Mrs. Trump and Queen Camilla will also attend an event on artificial intelligence.
Charles is also scheduled to address Congress on Tuesday.
Upon arrival at the White House, the King and Queen joined Mr. Trump and the first lady for tea in the White House Green Room before visiting the beehive on the South Lawn, near the vegetable garden.
The hive is part of Mrs. Trump’s honey project, comprising four colonies of bees that produce White House honey, used by chefs at the residence to sweeten teas, make salad dressings and add it to desserts.
On Tuesday, Mr. Trump and Charles will hold a bilateral meeting while their spouses attend a separate event on AI at the White House Tennis Pavilion. The event is part of Mrs. Trump’s “Fostering the Future Together” initiative.
The visit comes as Washington is still under tension following Saturday’s attack at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. A gunman in police custody targeted Mr Trump in an apparent assassination attempt.
Anxiety is also high between the US and UK over Mr Trump’s war in Iran.
The two countries are long-time allies, but Mr Trump sharply criticized Britain’s decision not to join the military operation and launched personal attacks on Prime Minister Keir Starmer, saying: “We are not dealing with Winston Churchill.” »
In Britain, the war is deeply unpopular amid anger over rising gas prices. Some politicians, including Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, called on Charles to cancel his trip to America.
Mr Starmer insisted the visit would go ahead, saying it would be “an important reminder of the long-standing ties and enduring relationship” between the two countries. He added that these bonds are “greater than those of anyone in any particular position at any given time.”
