It’s day two of the King and Queen’s State Visit, and this is when things truly begin to ramp up, with two speeches from the monarch and all the pomp and pageantry the White House can muster. Yesterday we saw them touch down at Joint Base Andrews in the British government’s GBNI plane – often referred to as the “mini Voyager”.Â
On her fourth official visit to the United States, and her first as Queen, Camilla clearly got the diplomatic dressing memo, even if it was subtle. In a nod to Anglo-American unity, she wore a diamond and ruby-studded Cartier brooch in the shape of the Stars and Stripes and Union Flag, a gift from the Mayor of New York to Queen Elizabeth II when she visited the city in 1957.
© WireImageDay two of King Charles and Queen Camilla’s State Visit has begun
I was at the White House, where the King and Queen arrived for tea with President Trump and the First Lady, after a pit stop at Blair House, the historic presidential guest house just a few yards away. What I saw was a warm and friendly relationship between the two couples, with kisses for Camilla and Charles from Melania and hearty handshakes from the President.
They continued to reacquaint themselves in private, over Earl Grey and Royal Blend tea, in the sumptuous surroundings of the Green Room, during a meeting that ran for more than 45 minutes, well beyond the 20-30 minutes allotted in the programme. The King and Queen and their hosts then spent another 20 minutes or so visiting the newly expanded White House beehives in the kitchen garden, which was planted back in 2009 by First Lady Michelle Obama (honey fans may remember that Mrs Trump gifted jars of White House honey to young children taking part in a Scouting event she attended with the Princess of Wales at Windsor last September).
© POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesThey visited the newly expanded White House beehives
Then it was off to the British Ambassador’s residence for a garden party in the glorious grounds, tended using the same sustainable, pesticide-free principles embraced at the King’s Highgrove home.
Ahead of their arrival, head gardener John Sonnier revealed that he maintains the gardens year-round “as if the King is going to be here the next day,” and it certainly looked fit for royalty in the warm sunshine. Naturally, the menu was very British, featuring up to 3,000 sandwiches filled with Scottish salmon, egg mayonnaise, cucumber and imported British beef.
WATCH: Hello!’s Emily Nash & Alexandra Hurtado Preview King & Queen’s US State Visit
Guests included Olympic diving champion Tom Daley, who lives in the United States and chatted to the Queen about his two sons and his latest knitting projects, as well as representatives from organisations supporting survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. Intriguingly, Guy Pelly, a close friend of Princes William and Harry and godfather to a certain Prince Louis of Wales, was also there with his American wife, Elizabeth Wilson.
A string orchestra played, and some 650 guests tucked into the aforementioned sandwiches and scones with clotted cream, jam, and strawberries, all washed down with Pimm’s or champagne. Day one done, then, and everything looks seamless so far.
I’m back at the White House first thing today to watch the ceremonial welcome, ahead of the King sitting down for talks with the President in the Oval Office. There will be still photographs only, meaning their conversation will remain entirely behind closed doors, avoiding any awkward topics being shared with the wider world.
Meanwhile the Queen and First Lady will meet students using virtual reality headsets to learn about the UK, as well as AI-enabled glasses to learn about American history. They’ll also see items from the White House Collection and the National Archives and Records Administration.
I’ll then be heading to Congress to hear the King’s historic address, only the second by a British monarch after the late Queen Elizabeth’s own speech there in 1991. It’s worth noting that Charles is our head of state, not our head of Government, so he is constitutionally above politics.
© Samir Hussein/WireImageThe King met Olympic champion Tom Daley at the Garden Party
That said, his 20-minute address is written on the advice of the Government and will contain the messages ministers want to land with the host country, even if it rings true to the King’s own language and tone. I understand that drafts of the speech have criss-crossed between the Palace and 10 Downing Street over recent weeks ahead of this crucial moment for Anglo-American relations.
Charles is expected to acknowledge that we live in challenging times, both at home and overseas, but that by defending and reaffirming our long-held shared democratic values, we can promote security and prosperity across the whole world. He’ll refer to the dramatic events of Saturday night, when a gunman attempted to storm the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner at the Hilton, just a few blocks from where I’m writing this.
He’ll do so in a spirit of solidarity, sympathy, and support, and will share the “highest regard and friendship of the British people to the people of the United States” in this milestone anniversary year.Â
© WireImageCharles will give an address to Congress
While the two countries have not always been in agreement, Charles will say that the foundations of our shared “democratic, legal and social traditions” – dating back to the Magna Carta – are such that “time and again, our two countries have always found ways to come together”. And he’ll say that when they do, the whole world benefits.
The King, who is deeply religious, will speak of his own faith and the fact that both nations have “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”.Â
He’ll touch on his own service in the Royal Navy (like his sons, he was a helicopter pilot and later commanded a minesweeper) and how the UK and US have stood together throughout history, noting that “our defence, intelligence and security ties are measured not in years but in decades”.Â
© Getty ImagesCharles will discuss the long history between the US and the UK
This means he’ll mention current events in the Middle East, which have been a point of contention between the President and our Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. But he’ll also mention the conflict in Ukraine, as well as the role of NATO and AUKUS, a security partnership between the UK, US, and Australia. And he will say that defending our common ideals is “crucial for liberty and equality”.
Charles will highlight the importance of trade and technology deals between both countries and celebrate America’s many natural wonders, citing the need to defend and protect “Nature’s own economy” too.
© WireImageHe will also speak on the current political situation in the Middle East
He’ll conclude by noting that the story of the UK and US over 250 years is one of “reconciliation and renewal”, creating “one of the greatest alliances in human history”, one he hopes and prays will continue to protect the values he’s outlined, long into the future. Phew. Some weighty themes, but entirely to be expected for an address to Congress.
I understand the King’s remarks at the State Dinner this evening will be lighter and more personal in tone, even if they touch on many of the same topics. I’ll be there to bring you all the latest from what looks set to be a major highlight of the trip – it’s great to bring you along with me!
I will be covering it for Hello throughout the week and sharing my analysis and opinions with VIP subscribers