King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrived at the White House on Tuesday evening for a formal state dinner hosted by Donald Trump and Melania Trump, on Apr 28th, 2026. The event marked a significant moment in the monarch’s official visit to the United States, highlighting longstanding diplomatic ties between the two nations during a period commemorating America’s 250th anniversary.
The evening followed a day of ceremonial and political engagements. Earlier, King Charles held a private meeting with President Trump in the Oval Office before delivering an address to a Joint Meeting of Congress. The speech marked only the second time a reigning British monarch has addressed US lawmakers, following Queen Elizabeth II in 1991. In his remarks, Charles described the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom as “truly unique” and emphasized its historical roots, noting it was “a partnership born out of dispute.” His comments on the importance of checks and balances within governance received a notable response from lawmakers.
The day began with full ceremonial honors on the South Lawn, where the royal couple was welcomed with a 21-gun salute, musical performances, and a formal inspection of honor guards representing all branches of the US military. The carefully staged events underscored the symbolic importance of the visit.
The state dinner itself reflected a collaborative approach to planning. President Trump was closely involved in selecting the guest list and menu, while the First Lady oversaw the event’s aesthetic details, including floral arrangements and table settings. The menu featured a seasonal progression, beginning with a garden vegetable velouté and a hearts of palm salad, followed by spring herbed ravioli. The main course included Dover sole meunière with accompanying spring vegetables, while dessert was a beehive-shaped flourless chocolate gâteau served with honey sourced from White House beehives.
The evening concluded a day that blended diplomacy, tradition, and symbolism, reinforcing the enduring partnership between the United States and the United Kingdom.
