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Following the pomp and pageantry of their events in DC, King Charles and Queen Camilla enjoyed a totally different atmosphere today at a Block Party in Virginia. The royals arrived at the small town of Front Royal this afternoon to a celebration for America’s 250th birthday that was already underway.
The King and Queen arrived to a parade including marching bands, cheerleaders, the town’s local community trolley and classic British and American cars. The couple even brought their own British dishes of Coronation quiche, Victoria sponge, and some honey from the royal hives to contribute to the “potluck” meal.
Members of the public had to go through airport-style security to get into the crowd, and there were long queues to gain access. By 11 a.m., the streets were lined with members of the public, many who had chosen to wave Union flags for the event.
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L-R: Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, Front Royal Mayor Lori A. Cockrell, King Charles, Queen Camilla, and Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom Yvette Cooper.
The royals arrived at Fort Royal 1:40 p.m., waving to the crowds with the windows of their car wound down. The first thing they did was greet some of the people gathered behind barriers on the town’s Main Street. Surrounded by security, they made their way down the line of members of the public. Next, they met with some first responders before heading to a stall belonging to Kaylee Richardson, who runs business The Honeystead.
Kaylee said she was “so honored” to meet the couple. “I brought dark honey and light honey because everyone has their preference and he said he preferred the darker honey,” she said. “They were excited to receive honey from me and I shared a copy of my book with the Queen.” Then couple stood on the town gazebo and watched the parade go past.
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King Charles meets the lamb.
The Queen stroked a lamb called Upperville Charles, who was born yesterday and named after the royal visitor. She described the lamb as “very sweet.”
Among those gathered today was Amy Kincer, whose son Tye Kincer, 12, plays in the Front Royal little league who were the 2025 state champions. “I don’t think we’ve ever had anyone this big come through Front Royal,” she said. “It’s very exciting…I think they’re very kind and caring. It seems like everyone likes to approach them. They looked at them straight on and shaken their hand, and they’re very approachable and kind people.”
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The royals meet a Little League team.
Others gathered were in agreement. “It’s not every day that a royal family is going to, number one, visit America, and number two, to come to small communities and just meet the everyday folks that are in these communities,” said Maria, who has lived Front Royal since the age of one.
Resident Kandi described it as a “once in a lifetime event for our community” and said about the couple: “I think they’re great…They’re so cute together.”
Amongst the people who Camilla was scheduled to meet was Avery Harper, Executive Director of the Phoenix project, which is the community’s local response to domestic and sexual violence. “For our organisation specifically, anything that we can do to bring attention to survivors of domestic violence, survivors of sexual assault, and just make it very, very clear that we always stand with survivors, and that we believe survivors is so incredibly important for the community, and globally, for people to hear and to understand,” she told T&C.
Avery said she was unaware that Camilla championed this cause until the proposed meeting. “I’m just so completely honored to have found out that someone in her position is so interested in this, and being such a strong advocate for it,” she said.
Town & Country Contributing Editor Victoria Murphy has reported on the British Royal Family since 2010. She has interviewed Prince Harry and has travelled the world covering several royal tours. She is a frequent contributor to Good Morning America. Victoria authored Town & Country book The Queen: A Life in Pictures, released in 2021.