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King Charles III, Queen Camilla conclude US state visit

PHOTO: King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend a community block party and pot luck celebrating America's 250th 'birthday', on April 30, 2026, in Front Royal, Virginia.
1:50
Aaron Chown, Pool via Getty Images
King Charles and Queen Camilla visit New York City
By Mason Leib, Alexandra Hutzler, Katie Kindelan
Last Updated: April 30, 2026, 8:46 PM

King  Charles III and  Queen Camilla concluded their first-ever  state visit to the United States on Thursday, wrapping up a whirlwind four days that took them to Washington, D.C., New York City and Virginia. 

The royals' visit took place amid significant  strains between the U.K. and the U.S. over the war in Iran. It also happened under the shadow of Charles' brother  Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's connection to the ongoing  Epstein scandal.

Charles took Washington by storm, delivering a rare joint address to Congress and garnering good cheer with his toast at a White House state dinner. In New York City, the king and queen mixed with celebrities and locals alike before traveling to Virginia to celebrate America's 250th birthday.

Scroll below to see how the visit unfolded.


Apr 30, 2026 8:46 PM

The king departs America ending four-day trip

PHOTO: Britain's King Charles boards the plane as he departs the United States at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, April 30, 2026.
Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters
Britain's King Charles boards the plane as he departs the United States at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, April 30, 2026.
Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters

Charles boarded his plane at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland Thursday afternoon ending a four-day state visit including trips to Washington D.C., New York, Virginia, an address to Congress and more.

The king will continue on to Bermuda, a British Overseas Territory.


Apr 30, 2026 9:44 PM

Camilla learns about horse racing in the US

PHOTO: Queen Camilla looks at a horse as she visits Smitten Farm on the final day of the state visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, April 30, 2026 in The Plains, Virginia.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Queen Camilla looks at a horse as she visits Smitten Farm on the final day of the state visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, April 30, 2026 in The Plains, Virginia.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

The queen, who is a patron of horse racing in the U.K., learned about America’s own horse racing industry Thursday at Smitten Farm near The Plains, Virginia.

Camilla met with the owner and manager of the farm and said about owning and breeding racehorses, “You have to go with the ups and downs. There are many more downs than there are ups.”

Describing her visit to the farm, Camilla said, “It’s a lovely way to finish off this trip," according to reporters traveling with the queen.

PHOTO: Smitten Farm manager Hunter Marek with daughter Violet Marek walk with Queen Camilla at Smitten Farm on the final day of the state visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, April 30, 2026 in The Plains, Virginia.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Smitten Farm manager Hunter Marek with daughter Violet Marek walk with Queen Camilla at Smitten Farm on the final day of the state visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, April 30, 2026 in The Plains, Virginia.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
PHOTO: Queen Camilla looks at a horse as she visits Smitten Farm on the final day of the state visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, April 30, 2026 in The Plains, Virginia.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Queen Camilla looks at a horse as she visits Smitten Farm on the final day of the state visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, April 30, 2026 in The Plains, Virginia.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Apr 30, 2026 7:03 PM

Charles visits Shenandoah National Park

Charles, who is known for his love of the outdoors, spent time Thursday touring Virginia's Shenandoah National Park, one of America’s 63 national parks.

PHOTO: Britain's King Charles III walks at Shenandoah National Park in Front Royal, Va., April 30, 2026.
Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP
Britain's King Charles III walks at Shenandoah National Park in Front Royal, Va., April 30, 2026.
Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

The king met with staff to learn more about the park, which covers 200,000 acres in Virginia.

He also met some of the park’s youngest supporters as he joined a swearing in ceremony for a group of Junior Rangers, the National Park Service’s program for children. 

PHOTO: King Charles III meets with members of the Monacan Indian Nation as he visits Shenandoah National Park on the final day of the state visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, April 30, 2026 in Front Royal, Virginia.
Pool/Getty Images
King Charles III meets with members of the Monacan Indian Nation as he visits Shenandoah National Park on the final day of the state visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, April 30, 2026 in Front Royal, Virginia.
Pool/Getty Images

Charles also spent time with members of the Monacan Indian Nation, who live on their ancestral lands in Western Virginia.



Apr 30, 2026 7:07 PM

Charles, Camilla partake in America250 potluck meal

PHOTO: King Charles III and Queen Camilla look at food displayed with Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger during a parade and block party event, April 30, 2026 in Front Royal, Virginia.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
King Charles III and Queen Camilla look at food displayed with Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger during a parade and block party event, April 30, 2026 in Front Royal, Virginia.
Win McNamee/Getty Images

Charles and Camilla got another taste of America when they joined locals in Front Royal, Virginia, for a potluck to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.

The food at the potluck included pizza, doughnuts and chicken wings. Charles and Camilla also contributed British dishes of coronation quiche, Victoria sponge cake and honey from the royal beehives, according to reporters traveling with the king and queen.

The potluck on Thursday is part of a broader initiative to have communities throughout the country gather for potluck meals over the course of the year.


Apr 30, 2026 9:00 AM

Charles, Camilla to visit Virginia in final day of US trip

PHOTO: King Charles III and Queen Camilla visit the National September 11 Memorial on day three of the State Visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the United States of America, April 29, 2026 in New York City.
Samir Hussein/Pool via Reuters
King Charles III and Queen Camilla visit the National September 11 Memorial on day three of the State Visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the United States of America, April 29, 2026 in New York City.
Samir Hussein/Pool via Reuters

The king and queen will spend most of the final day of their four-day state visit to the U.S. in the state of Virginia.

After a farewell meeting at the White House with President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, Charles and Camilla will travel to Arlington National Cemetery, where they will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider.

Charles and Camilla will then make the short trip to Virginia, where they will attend a block party for America’s 250th birthday celebration and visit both a national park and a horse-racing farm.

From there, Charles will board a flight to Bermuda, wrapping up a very busy four days.


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