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King to defend 'democratic values' as US state visit begins
TL;DR
King Charles and Queen Camilla have begun a four-day state visit to the US, marking their first since 2007. The King will address Congress, emphasizing the importance of defending democratic values amid international challenges.
Key points
- King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived in the US for a state visit
- This is the first state visit since Queen Elizabeth II's in 2007
- King Charles will address Congress on Tuesday
- Security is tight due to a recent shooting incident
- The King will emphasize defending democratic values
Mentioned in this story
King CharlesQueen CamillaDonald TrumpMelania TrumpUSWashington DC
King Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived in the US at the start of a four-day state visit - the first since Queen Elizabeth II's visit in 2007.
They arrived at Andrews military airbase in Maryland before being greeted at the White House by President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.
Security is extremely tight after the shooting incident in Washington DC at an event attended by the president on Saturday.
King Charles will address the US Congress on Tuesday and it is expected that he will express sympathy over the attack.
His speech is also expected to say that in times of great international challenges, it is more necessary than ever to stand together to defend democratic values.
The King will say that despite current disagreements between the US and the UK, "time and again, our two countries have always found ways to come together".
His address to Congress will call for "reconciliation and renewal" of the US and UK partnership and advocate for shared values of tolerance, liberty and equality.
He will urge the defence of those beliefs, whether through supporting Nato or protecting Ukraine, according to royal sources.
The King will tell US lawmakers that the transatlantic alliance is built on a "generosity of spirit and a duty to foster compassion, to promote peace, to deepen mutual understanding and to value people of all faiths and none".
On Monday, on arrival at the airbase in Maryland, the royal couple were greeted on the runway by the US chief of protocol Monica Crowley and the British ambassador to the US, Sir Christian Turner, among other dignitaries.
They were then given flowers by two children, before a band performed the British and American national anthems.
The King and Queen went on to meet the Trumps, who greeted their visitors on the South Portico of the White House, with the famous building currently under much construction work.
The royal visitors had tea in the Green Room and were brought into the garden to see a newly-expanded beehive, rebuilt in the shape of a miniature White House.
This honey-coated piece of diplomacy was intended to appeal to King Charles, who is an enthusiastic supporter of bee-keeping.
The state visit, carried out on behalf of the UK government, is a soft power attempt to strengthen relations, in a year in which the US is marking its 250th anniversary of independence.
Queen Camilla was wearing a brooch which combines the British and US flags, which was given to the late Queen Elizabeth II by the mayor of New York on a state visit in 1957.
That particular trip had been a diplomatic mission to rebuild the US and UK partnership after the Suez Crisis of 1956, which had put the two countries in dispute over a Middle East war.
King Charles and Queen Camilla then went to a crowded garden party attended by more than 600 people at the UK's embassy in Washington DC. The guests had US and UK connections, with people from politics, science, charities and the military.
Q&A
What is the significance of King Charles's state visit to the US?
King Charles's state visit is significant as it marks the first since Queen Elizabeth II's visit in 2007 and highlights the UK's commitment to democratic values.
When will King Charles address the US Congress during his visit?
King Charles is scheduled to address the US Congress on Tuesday during his four-day state visit.
What security measures are in place for King Charles's visit to the US?
Security is extremely tight for King Charles's visit following a recent shooting incident in Washington DC at an event attended by the president.
What topics will King Charles address in his speech to Congress?
In his speech to Congress, King Charles is expected to express sympathy over a recent attack and emphasize the need to defend democratic values during international challenges.
