Britain's King Charles heads to Appalachian mountains after US State Visit

FRONT ROYAL, Virginia – Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla concluded their four-day state visit to the United States with a brief stop at the White House on Thursday to bid farewell to U.S. President Donald Trump. The royals had already charmed the president at a formal dinner two days earlier.

After spending only six minutes inside the White House, Charles and Camilla departed to explore small-town America and the scenic Appalachian wilderness. Their itinerary included marching bands, Little League baseball games, bluegrass music, Girl Scouts, and the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains.

The primary purpose of the royal trip was to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. winning its independence from British rule. During speeches in Washington, Charles humorously referenced his fourth great-grandfather, King George III, being on the losing side of the American Revolution.

But beyond the historical celebration, the visit aimed to strengthen the “unbreakable bond” and “indispensable alliance” between the U.S. and the UK, as Charles described during his state dinner with Trump. The two countries' relationship had recently been tested by the UK's decision, along with other European allies, not to join the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.

The royal tour appeared to have achieved its goal. Trump, who has had a contentious relationship with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, expressed his admiration for King Charles the day after their dinner. “When you like the king of a country so much, it probably helps your relationship with the prime minister,” Trump told reporters.

Standing for photographs outside the White House’s South Portico on Thursday morning, Trump praised Charles, saying, “He's the greatest king, in my book.” The two leaders, accompanied by Camilla and U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, went inside, and a mere six minutes later, the royals were back in their car, continuing their Virginia tour.

“Great people,” Trump said as the royal motorcade departed, waving and giving a thumbs-up. The meaning behind his remark was unclear, though his staff may have offered a clue when they released a photo of Charles and Trump smiling together, accompanied by the caption: “TWO KINGS” and a crown emoji.

A Royal Stop in Front Royal and Arlington

During the visit, Charles and Camilla drew smiles from a diverse range of American citizens, from U.S. lawmakers to Harlem schoolchildren. One of the most memorable moments came when Charles presented Trump with a special gift: the original bell from the conning tower of the HMS Trump, a Royal Navy submarine launched in 1944.

The royals made several stops in Virginia, starting with Arlington National Cemetery, where Charles laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, following a 21-gun salute. On Wednesday, the couple visited Ground Zero in New York City to pay tribute to the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, leaving flowers and a handwritten note at the memorial.

The town of Front Royal, home to around 15,000 people, rolled out the red carpet for the royals with a street party featuring local delicacies like apple-butter donuts, pulled pork, crab tots, jerk chicken wings, and more. Although Charles and Camilla didn’t eat the food, they showed interest, with Charles asking about the local oysters, which come from nearby Chesapeake Bay.

At the party, a bluegrass band played the song “Rocky Top,” capturing the spirit of the Appalachian region. Charles and Camilla spent about 40 minutes at the gathering, greeting the mayor, Virginia’s governor, a group of clog dancers, and a pen of Kerry Hill sheep, a breed native to Wales.

Looking Ahead: A Visit to Bermuda

Later in the day, Charles and Camilla flew to Bermuda for their first visit to the British territory as sovereign. Unlike the U.S., Bermuda has yet to achieve independence, and the visit is expected to further strengthen the relationship between the UK and its overseas territories.

-Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk in Washington and Jonathan Allen in New York; Additional reporting by Tim Reid; Writing by Jonathan Allen; Editing by Nick Zieminski/Reuters