Buckingham Palace Releases Full Itinerary for King Charles's State Visit to America and Bermuda
Buckingham Palace Releases Full Itinerary for King Charles's State Visit to America and Bermuda
Buckingham Palace has released the full program for King Charles III and Queen Camilla's upcoming State Visit to the United States, revealing a packed itinerary that will take Their Majesties to Washington D.C., New York, and Virginia over four days before the King continues alone to Bermuda.
The visit, which runs from 27 April to 2 May, will mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and celebrate what the Palace describes as "the shared history of our two nations; the breadth of the economic, security and cultural relationship that has developed since then; and the deep people-to-people connections which unite communities."
Washington D.C.
The State Visit begins in Washington, where the King and Queen will be welcomed informally by President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for a private tea. Their Majesties will later attend a Garden Party bringing together guests representing the connections between the two countries.
A formal welcome ceremony at the White House will follow later in the program, featuring a ceremonial military review. The King will join President Trump for a bilateral meeting while the Queen and First Lady meet separately.
The centerpiece of the Washington visit will be the King's address to a Joint Meeting of Congress—only the second time a British monarch has addressed Congress, following Queen Elizabeth II's speech at the Capitol during her 1991 State Visit. The Queen will accompany the King for the historic address.
Their Majesties will return to the White House for a State Dinner hosted by the President and First Lady. Before departing Washington, the King and Queen will lay a wreath and flowers in honor of the fallen, marking the military partnership between the UK and the US.
New York
In New York, the program shifts focus to the modern relationship between the two nations, including economic and cultural ties and community initiatives.
In a poignant moment, Their Majesties will commemorate those who lost their lives on 11 September 2001, marking the 25th anniversary of the attacks later this year. They will meet serving first responders and families of victims.
The King will visit a grassroots community organization that mentors children and young people affected by food insecurity through a sustainable urban farming after-school initiative—a cause close to his heart, given his long-standing interest in sustainable agriculture and youth opportunity.
The Queen will attend an event celebrating both countries' shared love of literature, including A.A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh stories, which mark their 100th anniversary this year. The Queen's Reading Room, the charity founded by Her Majesty, will bring together high-profile writers and readers for a reception championing literature on both sides of the Atlantic.
The King will also join business and financial leaders, including investors and entrepreneurs, representing the breadth of the economic relationship between the two countries.
The New York portion concludes with a reception celebrating The King's Trust and its work shaping the lives of young people across America, while showcasing cultural links between the US and UK, including Britain's creative industries.
Virginia
In Virginia, Their Majesties will experience a different side of America, meeting local residents and community organizations and observing performances by Appalachian cultural groups representing the region's heritage. They will attend a "block party" to celebrate America's 250th birthday.
In one of America's National Parks, the King will meet members of an indigenous community and people involved in conservation initiatives protecting America's natural environment. The Queen, meanwhile, will visit a farm highlighting the work of America's horse racing industry and its long-standing links with the sport in the UK.
Bermuda
After the conclusion of the State Visit, the King will travel alone to Bermuda from 1–2 May, marking his first visit as Sovereign to a British Overseas Territory.
His Majesty will receive a formal welcome, including a Guard of Honor mounted by the Royal Bermuda Regiment and a 21-gun salute.
The program reflects the King's personal interests, particularly conservation. He will meet young people taking part in a living classroom session run by the Bermuda Zoological Society, engaging in hands-on activities to preserve local habitats, and learn about the restoration of native plants and wildlife.
In Hamilton, the King will celebrate Bermuda's arts and culture, meeting Bermudians from different creative sectors. He will also view a museum exhibition dedicated to Bermuda's history, including its connection to the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
At the dockside, His Majesty will meet representatives from youth organizations and Commonwealth Games athletes ahead of the 2026 Games. He will formally open the new Great Bay Coast Guard Station and hear about operations to provide safety around the island and tackle illegal maritime activity.
In a forward-looking engagement, the King will meet representatives from the UK Space Agency to hear about plans to install a new telescope site in Bermuda as part of global efforts to track space debris and support international space sustainability.
A Significant Moment
The State Visit represents a significant moment for King Charles III, his first to the United States as sovereign, and an opportunity to build on the warm reception President Trump received at Windsor Castle last September. The address to Congress will place him in rare company—only his mother has previously addressed a Joint Meeting as a reigning British monarch.
The combination of ceremonial occasions, cultural exchanges, and engagements focused on the King's personal passions—conservation, youth opportunity, and sustainable development—suggests a carefully crafted program designed to showcase both the historic ties and the modern relevance of the UK-US relationship.
State Visit to the United States: 27–30 April 2026
Royal Visit to Bermuda: 1–2 May 2026
