King Charles III will deliver a landmark speech to the United States Congress during his first state visit later this month. Buckingham Palace confirmed on Tuesday that the four‑day trip will highlight the “shared history” between the United Kingdom and the United States and underscore the depth of current ties.
The visit begins on April 27, 2026, with Queen Camilla accompanying the monarch. Palace officials said the program will celebrate cultural connections and people‑to‑people relationships that continue to shape bilateral relations.
Charles will address lawmakers from both chambers of Congress on April 28, according to US Speaker Mike Johnson. The palace did not specify the exact date of the speech but confirmed it would form part of the Washington itinerary. The king will be the first British monarch to speak before Congress since Queen Elizabeth II in 1991, shortly after the Gulf War.
The trip comes amid political tensions between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Donald Trump over the Iran conflict. Some British politicians had urged postponement, but Starmer insisted the visit was “very important,” stressing that the monarchy’s role in diplomacy can endure through decades of change. Trump welcomed the announcement, describing the visit as “TERRIFIC” on his Truth Social platform.
While in Washington, Charles and Camilla will meet President Trump and First Lady Melania for tea, attend a state dinner, and participate in a military review. The royal couple previously hosted Trump in September at Windsor Castle, marking his second state visit to the UK. Trump was also received by Queen Elizabeth in 2019, while her last state visit to the US occurred in 2007.
The king’s visit is overshadowed by ongoing scrutiny of his brother, Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, who is under UK police investigation for his ties to the late US financier Jeffrey Epstein. A US lawmaker and relatives of Virginia Giuffre, an Epstein accuser who died last year, urged Charles to meet survivors during his trip. However, sources told the Press Association that such a meeting “will not be possible,” citing concerns it could interfere with legal proceedings.
After Washington, the royal couple will travel to New York. There, they will meet first responders and families of victims of the September 11 attacks, nearly 25 years after the tragedy.
Charles will also engage with business leaders and attend a reception highlighting cultural links and the work of his charity, The King’s Trust, which supports vulnerable young people.
The itinerary includes a stop in Virginia, where the couple will join a community “block party” marking the anniversary of the 1776 Declaration of Independence. The visit will acknowledge the historical significance of the region, home to some of the earliest English colonies.
The tour concludes in Bermuda on May 1, marking Charles’s first trip to the territory as monarch. The last royal visit to the archipelago was by Queen Elizabeth in 2009.
Buckingham Palace emphasized that the visit reflects both tradition and modern engagement. By addressing Congress and participating in cultural and historical events, Charles aims to reinforce the enduring partnership between the UK and the US while promoting dialogue on shared values and future cooperation.
