King Charles, Queen Camilla in Washington for state visit

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King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived in Washington on Monday, kicking off their four-day state visit to mark the United States’ 250th anniversary and to celebrate the U.K.’s special relationship with the U.S.

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President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greeted the King and Queen at the White House Monday afternoon.

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The four then had tea in the Green Room before they headed out to view a newly-expanded beehive in the shape of the White House on the South Lawn.

The royal couple are “keen beekeepers” who have beehives in the royal residences, including Buckingham Palace and Clarence House, according to the Royal Family’s website.

They then headed to the British embassy in Washington where British ambassador to the U.S. Christian Turner hosted a late-afternoon garden party with about 600 guests in attendance.

Fractured relations and security

The monarchs’ visit comes at a time when U.S.-U.K. relations are strained due to the war in the Middle East.

Trump has publicly criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over his position on the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, reportedly calling the U.K. leader a “loser” in private conversations.

The royal visit also comes two days after a shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in which a suspect has been charged with attempting to assassinate Trump, which led to a last-minute security review, The Associated Press reported.

What’s next in their visit?

On Tuesday, the King will deliver an address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill.

They’ll head to New York City on Wednesday to visit the 9/11 Memorial at One World Trade Center, where they are expected to meet first responders and victims’ families.

The royal couple will wrap up their visit in Virginia, attending several events, including a party celebrating the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.

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