King Charles and Queen Camilla rounded off a packed and diplomatically crucial first day in the United States by hosting a lavish garden party for 650 guests at the British Embassy in Washington, just hours after meeting Donald Trump and Melania Trump at the White House. The event brought together a cross-section of British and American figures, from politicians and officials to charity leaders and high-profile guests, as the monarch seeks to reinforce strained transatlantic ties.
Notable Guests
Guests included Scott Bessent, Secretary of the Treasury; Senator Ted Cruz; former Speaker Nancy Pelosi; current Speaker of the House Mike Johnson; and Prince William's old school friend Guy Pelly, who now lives in the US. Olympic diver and celebrity knitter Tom Daley was also among the 650 guests, as well as football ace Esme Morgan, a Lionesses World Cup-winning star who plays for Washington Spirit.
Culinary Delights
Guests were treated to 3,000 handmade sandwiches, including Scottish smoked salmon, roast beef and horseradish sandwiches using imported British cuts brought in under new tariff-free treaties, egg mayonnaise, and lightly pickled cucumber, followed by scones. Tom Daley, 31, who now lives in Los Angeles with his husband and two children, flew in for the day to attend the garden party.
Time Capsule Ceremony
Before joining the garden party, the King and Queen saw a time capsule created to mark America's 250th anniversary celebrations this year. They placed a commemorative coin made specially for the occasion by the Royal Mint into the capsule, a proclamation from the King, and essays written by local Washington school children. The capsule will be placed under the Washington Monument on the National Mall later this year, to be opened when the US marks 500 years of independence. The capsule is twinned with another placed under the statue of George Washington in Trafalgar Square, London, last June.
White House Meeting
Earlier in the day, Charles and Camilla had been formally welcomed by Trump and the First Lady at the White House, where the two couples exchanged warm greetings before retreating inside for private talks over tea. The meeting—deliberately kept away from cameras—marked the opening of the King's first US state visit of his reign, a four-day tour seen as pivotal for the so-called 'special relationship'. The King, 77, has been tasked with using the monarchy's soft power to help steady relations, which have become increasingly fractious in recent months. Arriving in Washington aboard the British Government GBNI aeroplane, Charles and Camilla were greeted with full ceremonial honours at Joint Base Andrews, where a military guard and band lined a red carpet beneath blazing sunshine. Camilla, 78, made a pointed diplomatic gesture by wearing a historic brooch featuring the Union flag crossed with the American Stars and Stripes—a piece originally gifted to Elizabeth II during her 1957 visit to the US.
Charity Engagement
Queen Camilla also used the event as an opportunity to meet with representatives from four Washington DC child exploitation and domestic violence charities. Speaking to the representatives, Camilla said: 'Nice to meet you, wish we had longer to talk.' Afterwards, Sandra Jackson, CEO of charity House of Ruth women's shelter, praised Camilla as 'someone able to give notoriety to this cause.' She added: 'She thanked us for our work and hoped progress is being made and build on progress for the future. It was nice to be able to thank her for what she has done and bringing attention to this cause.' Michelle DeLaune, CEO of the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, praised the Queen as 'wonderful' for 'raising awareness' and 'getting dialogue going.' Charities My Sister's Place, DC Safe, and DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence were also at the garden party held at the UK Ambassador's residence.
Security and Context
The carefully choreographed day unfolded under intense security following an assassination attempt on Trump at a Washington media dinner just days earlier. Charles is understood to have privately expressed his 'sympathies with all those affected' and gratitude to security services, while officials confirmed 'all appropriate security measures are in place.' The visit—which will also include a White House state banquet, a trip to New York, and a historic address to Congress—is being closely watched on both sides of the Atlantic. In his upcoming speech, the King is expected to stress that while the UK and US have faced disagreements over the past 250 years, 'time and again, our two countries have always found ways to come together.' He will also offer 'the highest regard and friendship of the British people to the people of the United States,' underlining the enduring alliance at a moment of global uncertainty.
