By Ellie Grace Grinnan

On April 27, King Charles III and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom arrived in Washington, DC, beginning a historic trip along the East Coast. Their trip lasted four days, and they began with time in DC before heading to New York City, then back to DC and Virginia. The last time a monarch from the United Kingdom came to the United States was the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2007 to recognize the 400th anniversary of the establishment of Jamestown.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla arriving in Washington, DC. Photo credit: Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla traveled to America to celebrate the United States and United Kingdom’s relationship, given that this year is the 250th anniversary of the United States’ independence. This trip was considered an official state visit, which, according to the Royal Family website, states “play an integral role in strengthening Britain’s relationships with other countries.”

Upon their arrival, they went straight to the White House to have tea with President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. After tea, they walked around the White House Rose Garden and saw the additions to the White House beehive. The honey produced is used in the White House kitchen and for gifts. That night, the King and Queen went to a garden party at the British embassy, where they were surrounded by roughly 600 other guests, including several members of Trump’s cabinet, the British Olympic diver Tom Daley, prior Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, and many founders of organizations and charities fighting against domestic abuse.

King Charles III addressing Congress. Photo credit: Henry Nicholls/Pool/AFP via Getty Images.

On April 28, King Charles III addressed Congress for roughly 30 minutes. The only other time the monarch of the United Kingdom spoke to Congress was Queen Elizabeth II in 1991. During King Charles III’s speech, he started by recognizing the United States’ and United Kingdom’s friendship and reflected, “time and again, our two countries have always found ways to come together.” He also focused on the strong and resilient relationship the US and the UK have, stating “our defence, intelligence and security ties are hardwired together through relationships measured not in years, but in decades.” He continued on to talk about how important it is that the two countries’ relationship and values continue, especially through NATO.

While King Charles III was addressing Congress, the Queen, along with Melania Trump, held a meeting about AI for students at The White House Tennis Pavilion. These students got to explore and learn about the United Kingdom using head sets. They wore “AI-enabled glasses” to look at artifacts from the White House Collection and the National Archives and Records Administration. The Royals’ day ended with a State Dinner at the White House, where the King and the President both got up and thanked the guests before the dinner.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla placing flowers on the 911 memorial. Photo credit: Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images via Fox News.

On Wed., April 29, the King and the Queen flew to New York City to see the World Trade Center and commemorate the 9/11 terrorist attacks. While there, they placed flowers at the 9/11 Memorial and met with families and first responders involved in the tragedy. They also met with a few organizations working to maintain the legacy of 9/11.

King Charles III, after the World Trade Center, went to Harlem Grown, an organization that benefits New York through having children work alongside adults to create urban spaces and gardens, while also focusing on children’s mental health and food security. While visiting Harlem Grown, the king helped feed chickens.

While King Charles III was at the Harlem Grown, the Queen went to the New York Public Library and spoke to a group of authors and members from the United States and United Kingdom. The Queen then met with charities focused on speaking out against domestic violence. Her afternoon ended with helping to celebrate Winnie the Pooh’s 100th birthday. Queen Camilla, alongside Jim Cummings, the voice of Disney’s Winnie the Pooh, read the original Winnie-the-Pooh, created by British author A.A. Milne, to elementary students.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Photo credit: Saul Loeb/Pool/AFP via Getty Images.

The night ended at the Greater Together Reception, which recognized the successful efforts of the King’s Trust, which was created by King Charles III. The King’s Trust helps care for and provide opportunities to teenagers and young adults that sets them up for their adult life. The purpose of this reception was to honor the King’s Trust and the connections and impacts of the United Kingdom on American society. Different organizations presented the impacts and contributions of the United States and the United Kingdom working together.

On their last day in the United States, the King and Queen said goodbye to the president and the first lady and headed to Arlington National Cemetery, where the king placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This act was also done by his mother Queen Elizabeth II and symbolizes the strong military alliance between the United States and the United Kingdom.

The King and Queen then journeyed to Front Royal, Virginia where they went to a block party commemorating 250 years of American independence and watched a parade. The block party was lively, with bluegrass and country rock music and a marching band. Also there was a potluck, contributing to the rural town atmosphere.

King Charles III at the Shenandoah National Park. Photo credit: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/Pool/Getty Images via Fox News.

After the block party, King Charles III’s deep respect and passion for nature drove him and the queen to visit the Shenandoah National Park, where they also got to witness the induction of junior rangers. This experience marked the end of King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s time in the United States before they headed to Bermuda.

The royals’ time in America was fully packed. The king celebrated the strong relationship and alliance between the two countries through his speech in Congress and time with the president and First Lady. The king and queen also continued to pour efforts into their passions, as they met with different charities supporting nature causes and fighting against domestic abuse.