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King Charles III and Queen Camilla made a second trip to the White House on Tuesday to attend a state dinner in their honor hosted by President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.
Earlier in the day, the king addressed a joint session of Congress on the second day of his four-day visit to the United States, a trip timed to mark the 250th anniversary of the one-time British colony’s independence. In his speech, Charles highlighted the special relationship between the two countries over the past two and a half centuries and their shared commitment to democracy.
In their invitation to Charles to speak before Senators and Representatives, Congressional leaders described the relationship between the U.S. and the United Kingdom as "one of the most consequential partnerships in modern history."
Britain's King Charles III speaks to a Joint Meeting of Congress in the House Chamber at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on April 28, 2026. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images)
"I would like to take this opportunity to express my particular gratitude to you all for the great honour of addressing this Joint Meeting of Congress and, on behalf of The Queen and myself, to thank the American people for welcoming us to the United States to mark this semi-quincentennial year of the Declaration of Independence," Charles said to open his speech.
Prior to the afternoon address, Charles and Queen Camilla returned to the White House for a traditional military arrival ceremony with Military Honors, along with a 21-gun salute.
A State Dinner in the White House East Room will cap off what will be the busiest day of the royal visit.
Here is the latest:
Arriving at the White House
(L-R) King Charles III, U.S. President Donald Trump, and First Lady Melania Trump toast in the East Room during an official state dinner hosted by the President and First Lady at The White House on day two of the State Visit of King Charles III and Q …
8:30 p.m. ET - King Charles III and Queen Camilla returned on Tuesday evening for a State Dinner hosted by President Donald Trump and First lady Melania Trump.
While welcoming his honored guests, Trump revealed that he enjoyed watching Charles' speech earlier in the day to a joint session of Congress, saying, "He made a great speech. I was very jealous."
The first lady was wearing head-to-toe Christian Dior, in a pale delphinium pink silk strapless gown from the designer’s haute couture collection, with off-white suede gloves and pale delphinium silk pumps, while Camilla wore a deep pink Fiona Clare evening gown with the family jewels — an amethyst and diamond necklace gifted by a former Duchess of Kent to Queen Victoria.
U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump welcome Queen Camilla and King Charles III to the White House for a state dinner on April 28, 2026 in Washington, DC. In his first visit to the U.S. as the British monarch, King Charles III add …
Among the other guests expected to be in attendance Tuesday were Apple CEO Tim Cook, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, Advanced Micro Devices CEO Lisa Su and NVIDIA President and CEO Jensen Huang. Charles had met with the tech leaders earlier in the day at Blair House.
Dinner is Served
3:49 p.m. ET - King Charles III and Queen Camilla ended their Tuesday night at a State Dinner that was organized by First Lady Melania Trump. Prior to the festivities, the first lady's office offered a glimpse at what they will be serving
Following a first course that featured a garden vegetable velouté, the royal couple, first family, and invited guests enjoyed spring herbed ravioli among other dishes. The third course was highlighted by Dover sole meunière, potato pave, and spring ramps.
White House honey helped make the beehive-shaped vanilla bean cremeux shine for dessert. Guests could also pick from flourless chocolate gateau, almond joconde, and crème fraîche ice cream. The dessert is designed to recognize the king and queen's support of beekeeping.
Music for the night was provided by United States military musicians.
King Charles III addresses joint meeting of Congress
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King Charles III addresses joint meeting of Congress
King Charles III addressed a joint meeting of Congress on Tuesday, April 28 during his U.S. state visit. In his speech, he marked the 250th anniversary of independence from Britain and highlighted the bonds between the two countries at a time of political turmoil. In his remarks he remembered his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who was the first monarch to deliver a speech at the U.S. Capitol during a state visit in 1991, two months after the end of the Gulf War, where she stressed the importance of transatlantic alliances in her speech.
3:49 p.m. ET - King Charles III addressed a joint meeting of Congress on Tuesday, April 28 during his U.S. state visit. In his speech, he marked the 250th anniversary of independence from Britain and highlighted the bonds between the two countries at a time of political turmoil.
In his remarks he remembered his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who was the first monarch to deliver a speech at the U.S. Capitol during a state visit in 1991, two months after the end of the Gulf War, where she stressed the importance of transatlantic alliances in her speech.
First lady and queen use AI in meeting with students
1:38 p.m. ET: First lady Melania Trump and Queen Camilla met with students at the White House's tennis pavilion.
They explored the history of the bilateral relationship between the nations by using AI-enabled glasses and a headset to look at a World War II map, a portrait of President John Adams, and a letter from Queen Elizabeth II to President Eisenhower.
White House arrival ceremony for King Charles III and Queen Camilla
Queen Camila, King Charles III, U.S. President Donald Trump, and First lady Melania Trump pose during a state arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House on April 28, 2026, in Washington, DC. President Trump and King Charles III will partic …
10:45 a.m.: On the second day of their visit, rain delayed the start of the arrival ceremony for King Charles III and Queen Camilla on the South Lawn of the White House.
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White House arrival ceremony for King Charles III and Queen Camilla
On the second day of their visit, President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hosted an arrival ceremony for King Charles III and Queen Camilla on the South Lawn of the White House.
The royal couple were greeted by President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on the South Lawn with military honors. The national anthems of the United Kingdom and the United States were performed by the U.S. Marine Band followed by a 21-gun salute from the Presidential Salute Battery. The US Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps performed on the South Lawn followed by President Trump giving remarks.
The President, First Lady, and the King and Queen then made their way up to the Blue Room Balcony where they watched a "Pass in Review" consisting of service members from the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, and the U.S. Coast Guard, taking part in the ceremony. The occasion was an historic moment for the U.S. Space Force, marking the first time the service branch took part in a Pass in Review at the White House.
US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla wave from the Blue Room balcony during an arrival ceremony at the White House in Washington, DC, on April 28, 2026. (Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / POOL / AF …
Members of the US Armed Forces ahead of the ceremonial welcome for King Charles III and Queen Camilla on the South Lawn of the White House on day two of the State Visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the United States of America, on April 2 …
Calls for the king to meet Esptein victims
8:15 a.m. ET: King Charles has received some calls to meet with some Jeffrey Epstein victims during his visit to the United States. Rep. Ro Khanna of California urged the king to at least address the issue during his speech to congress.
There's no indication the king plans to meet with any Epstein victims.
King Charles to address Congress
7:31 a.m. ET: King Charles will become the first British monarch to address the U.S. Congress since his mother, Queen Elizabeth in 1991.
Only prominent world leaders, including Pope Francis, Václav Havel and Winston Churchill have had such an opportunity.
RELATED: From Prince to King: A timeline of Charles III’s visits to the US
The Source: Information for this article was taken from the Associated Press and C-Span. This story was reported from Orlando.