8 Memorable Moments From Past British Royal Visits to the U.S.

THE NEW YORK TIMES: With King Charles III and Queen Camilla set to arrive for a state visit with President Trump, we look back at some major moments in previous royal trips to the United States.

Screenshot taken from this NYT article. | Clockwise from top left: King George VI with President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939; Prince Charles and Princess Anne with President Richard M. Nixon in 1970; Queen Elizabeth II with President Ronald Reagan in 1983; and the queen with President Gerald R. Ford in 1976.Alamy; Associated Press; Ed Reinke/Associated Press; Universal Image Group, via Getty Images
King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s visit to Washington comes as the relationship between Britain and the United States is in turmoil, with President Trump having repeatedly lobbed insults at Prime Minister Keir Starmer over his refusal to join the Iran war.

But the role of the British monarchy, which is officially apolitical, has often been to distract from the messiness of everyday politics and, through ritual and ceremony, point to something more enduring.

Here are a few pivotal moments in previous British royal visits to the United States. » | Esther Bintliff | Reporting from London | Published: Monday, April 27, 2026. Updated: Tuesday, April 28, 2026