King Charles and Queen Camilla have touched down in Washington DC ahead of their looming meeting with Donald Trump later this evening.
Their Majesties are visiting the United States President and First Lady as part of a four-day state visit.
Arriving off the plane, the Queen dazzled in a new Pink Dior coat dress and a special brooch, featuring both the Union Jack Flag and the United States' Stars and Stripes.
This special jewel was presented to the late Queen Elizabeth II in 1957 by Robert F. Wagner Jr., a former Mayor of New York.
This was to commemorate Her Late Majesty's six-day visit to the city, which took place in October that year.
That State Visit, which occurred at the height of the Cold War, reinforced the ties of friendship between the United States and Great Britain.
It echoed the highly significant diplomatic visit undertaken by the late Queen’s parents, King George VI and the Queen Mother, in June 1939, in the lead-up to World War Two.
By wearing this brooch, Queen Camilla may have been sending a message about the importance of the special relationship between the US and the UK, particularly in the wake of the fallout between Sir Keir Starmer and President Trump.
King Charles and Queen Camilla touch down in Washington DC as Donald Trump meeting looms
|REUTERS
This trip, the first by a British monarch since 2007, primarily aims to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence and reinforce the "special relationship" between the two nations.
In addition, it is intended to help repair and revitalise UK-US relations, which have become strained over disagreements regarding the war in Iran and Nato.
Charles and Camilla will visit the 9/11 Memorial in New York to mark the upcoming 25th anniversary of the attacks.
The itinerary includes a bilateral meeting between the King and the President, a state dinner at the White House, and a historic address by the King to a joint meeting of Congress.
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King Charles and Queen Camilla exiting the plane at Joint Base Andrews
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Despite a recent security incident involving an attempted attack at a press gala attended by Donald and Melania Trump, Buckingham Palace confirmed the visit would proceed as planned.
The President and First Lady will welcome the King and Queen at the South Portico later today.
They will then move to the Green Room for a private tea.
The two couples will tour the newly expanded White House beehive on the South Lawn, reflecting the King's well-known interest in biodiversity and conservation.
King Charles shaking the hands of dignitaries in the US
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Later in the afternoon, the royals will attend a garden party at the British ambassador's residence.
This event features a "lounge suit and day dress" code with a notable twist: guests are discouraged from wearing hats, which departs from traditional English garden party etiquette.
While today is relatively low-key, it sets the stage for a packed second day tomorrow, which will feature a full ceremonial military review with a 21-gun salute, the King's historic address to Congress, and a high-profile state dinner.