King Charles visit live updates: Charles meets with top business leaders
King Charles visit live updates: Charles meets with top business leaders
MASON LEIB, ALEXANDRA HUTZLER and KATIE KINDELANWed, April 29, 2026 at 9:07 PM UTC
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King Charles III and Queen Camilla are making their first-ever state visit to the U.S., visiting Washington, D.C., New York City and Virginia.
The royals’ visit comes amid significant strains between the U.K. and the U.S. over the war in Iran. It’s also happening under the shadow of Charles' brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's connection to the ongoing Epstein scandal.
The king and queen were feted at the White House on Tuesday with a traditional military arrival ceremony and a state dinner. Charles also delivered a rare joint address to Congress, where he emphasized the historic partnership between the U.S. and U.K. and praised NATO.
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Apr 29, 5:05 PMCharles meets with top business leaders
Cindy Ord/Getty Images - PHOTO: King Charles III attends a UK-U.S. trade event in Bar SixtyFive at Rockefeller Center during a state visit, April 29, 2026 in New York City.
Charles went from gardening with children to meeting with top CEOs Wednesday in New York City.At an afternoon reception held on the 65th floor of Rockefeller Center, Charles met with leaders of companies including Bank of America, Blackstone, JP Morgan, Comcast, Citigroup and Alphabet.The king shook hands with the business leaders and talked to them about their careers and how they’re investing in the U.K., according to reporters traveling with him.Charles then went onto a bigger meeting with 50 more executives who snacked on canapes and ice tea and wine while they spoke with the king about their work in areas including technology, healthcare, financial services and more.
Apr 29, 3:37 PMCamilla talks books with Sarah Jessica Parker, Anna Wintour
Richard Drew/via Reuters - PHOTO: Britain's Queen Camilla speaks to Sarah Jessica Parker as she attends a literacy event at the New York Public Library in New York City, April 29, 2026.
Camilla was joined by a star-studded lineup at a solo event held at the New York Public Library Wednesday.
Actress Sarah Jessica Parker, Vogue’s Anna Wintour, singer Katherine Jenkins and authors Min Jin Lee and Harlan Coben were among the luminaries who gathered with Camilla at an event to promote her charity, the Queen’s Reading Room, which celebrates the power of reading.
Ryan Murphy/Pool via Getty Images - PHOTO: Queen Camilla greets Global Editorial Director of Vogue Anna Wintour during a visit to the New York Public Library for a literacy event, April 29, 2026, in New York City.
“The first Americans, I met in life were the characters I met in my treasured childhood novels,” Camilla said in her remarks, according to reporters traveling with the queen. “I knew even then, the books are best friends you can have, in good times and bad.”
Shannon Stapleton/Reuters - PHOTO: Queen Camilla visits the New York Public Library with Sarah Jessica Parker to attend a literary event in New York City, April 29, 2026.
She continued, “As many of us long suspected, books really are good for us. They also have a magic way of bringing people together with the ability to transcend any barrier."
Apr 29, 3:39 PMCharles helps school kids feed chickens
Aaron Chown/Pool/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Britain's King Charles III helps feed chickens during a visit to Harlem Grown, a local community organization and after-school initiative, in New York City, April 29, 2026.
After a series of formal events, Charles got to spend time outdoors with children Wednesday afternoon in New York.The king, a known environmentalist, visited Harlem Grown, a nonprofit organization that helps teach kids about urban farming, sustainability, and nutrition, according to its website.
Angelina Katsanis/Pool via Getty Images - PHOTO: Britain's King Charles III receives a letter from a young attendee during an event at Harlem Grown, April 29, 2026 in New York City.
Charles was seen leaning over a fence to feed chickens alongside a group of kids during the visit.
Apr 29, 1:46 PMCharles, Camilla pay respects at 9/11 Memorial
Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters - PHOTO: Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla, along with former Mayor of New York City Michael Bloomberg, arrive at the 9/11 Memorial during a state visit to the United States, in New York City, April 29, 2026.
Charles and Camilla’s first stop in New York City Wednesday was the National 9/11 Memorial, where they met with families of Sept. 11, 2001, victims and first responders.The royals were greeted by former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, who showed them the memorial and stood by their side as they laid a bouquet of flowers.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images - PHOTO: Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, chairman of the National September 11 Memorial, King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend a ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial during a state visit, April 29, 2026 in New York City.
The flowers were accompanied by a note that read, “We honour the memory of all those who so tragically lost their lives on 11th September 2001, and stand in enduring solidarity with the American people in the face of such profound loss. Charles R Camilla R," according to reporters who are traveling with the king and queen.
Jeenah Moon/Reuters - PHOTO: A bouquet of flowers with a note from Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla lies at the 9/11 Memorial, during their state visit to the United States, in New York City, April 29, 2026.
Other elected officials in attendance at the memorial were New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill.
Apr 29, 12:19 PMRead Charles’ full toast at White House state dinner
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Britain's King Charles III speaks as President Donald Trump looks on during a State Dinner in the East Room of the White House in Washington, April 28, 2026.
King Charles’ toast at Tuesday night's White House state dinner included quips, sympathies and a special gift for President Donald Trump.Charles delivered the toast in front of the president and first lady Melania Trump, Queen Camilla and a room full of attendees that included U.S. Supreme Court justices, elected officials, CEOs and professional golfer Rory Mcllory.
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Henry Nicholls/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: President Donald Trump and Britain's King Charles III raise a toast during a State Dinner in the East Room of the White House in Washington, April 28, 2026.
Read the full text of Charles’ toast HERE.
Apr 29, 7:47 AMCharles, Camilla to attend packed day of events in New York City
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images - PHOTO: King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive for a state dinner at the White House, April 28, 2026 in Washington.
Charles and Camilla are heading to New York City Wednesday for a full day of events on the third day of their closely watched state visit to the United States.The royal couple’s first stop will be the National 9/11 Memorial, where they will meet with families of Sept. 11, 2001, victims and first responders, as well as elected officials including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill.From there, the king will visit an after-school urban farming program while the queen holds a reading reception at the New York Public Library.Later in the day, Charles will attend a trade and business leader event followed by a King's Trust reception in the evening to highlight the U.K.’s cultural impact on New York, according to Buckingham Palace.Charles and Camilla will return to Washington D.C., Wednesday night.
Apr 28, 10:04 PMKing Charles, Trump share quips, tout US-UK relationship at state dinner
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump welcomed King Charles III and Queen Camilla back to the White House Tuesday evening for a state dinner in the East Room.Trump opened the dinner by lavishing praise on the royal and joking about the bipartisan reception King Charles III received during his address to Congress earlier Tuesday.
Henry Nicholls/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: President Donald Trump and Britain's King Charles III raise a toast during a State Dinner in the East Room of the White House in Washington, April 28, 2026.
"He got Democrats to stand, I've never been able to do that. I couldn't believe it," Trump joked.Trump also remarked about the long history of the U.S. and the U.K., calling it a "very, very special and incredible friendship."
Henry Nicholls/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks as he and First Lady Melania Trump host Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla during a State Dinner in the East Room of the White House in Washington, April 28, 2026.
King Charles III began his toast by reflecting on the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner on Saturday, "paying tribute to your own courage and steadfastness, as well as to your security services for their swift actions on Saturday evening in preventing further injury," the king told Trump. "My thoughts and sympathies are very much with you, the first lady and all those guests for whom this must have been a very upsetting incident."
Henry Nicholls/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and Britain's King Charles III raise a toast as they attend a State Dinner in the East Room of the White House in Washington, April 28, 2026.
There were light-hearted moments in the king's toast as well.The king referenced Trump's decision to tear down the East Wing to build a White House ballroom, making a joke referencing the burning down of the White House during the War of 1812.
"On this occasion, I cannot help noticing the readjustments to the East Wing, Mr. President, following your visit to Windsor Castle last year," the king said. "And I'm sorry to say that we British, of course, made our own small attempt at real estate redevelopment of the White House in 1814."
Henry Nicholls/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Britain's King Charles and Queen Camila pose in front of the Grand Staircase prior to a state dinner at the White House in Washington, April 28, 2026.
Towards the end of his remarks, King Charles presented the president with the bell from HMS Trump, a British ship during World War II.-ABC News' Meg Mistry, Michelle Stoddard and Fritz Farrow
Apr 28, 8:16 PMHere's who's on the guest list for state dinner
Supreme Court justices, CEOs and a golf champion are all on the list of attendees for Tuesday's state dinner honoring King Charles III. Chief Justice John Roberts and his wife will be in attendance, as well as Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito, Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Clarence Thomas, according to the list shared by the first lady's office. The list also includes pro golfer and Master's winner Rory McIlroy and his wife, as well as Apple CEO Tim Cook, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang is also on the list. Several Fox News employees are also attending, including Bret Baier and his wife, Laura Ingraham, Jesse Watters and Rachel Campos Duffy.
Apr 28, 7:59 PMKing Charles, Queen Camilla arrive for White House state dinner
King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrived at the White House on Tuesday evening for a state dinner hosted by President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump.The evening's entertainment is set to include musicians from the Marines, Army and Air Force, according to the White House.
Ken Cedeno/Reuters - PHOTO: President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump welcomes Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla at the South Portico as they arrive for a state dinner at the White House in Washington, D.C., April 28, 2026.
The decor is designed to reflect "a shared appreciation for gardens.""Cherry blossoms greet guests upon entering the Grand Foyer. Inspired by the beauty of English gardens, towering trees and blossoming garden boxes of lilac enhance the splendor of the room," a press release from the White House said.
Ken Cedeno/Reuters - PHOTO: President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump welcomes Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla at the South Portico as they arrive for a state dinner at the White House in Washington, D.C., April 28, 2026.
The first lady wore a pale delphinium pink silk strapless gown by Christian Dior Haute Couture, with off-white Dior suede gloves and Dior silk pumps, according to the first lady's office .
Apr 28, 4:11 PMKing receives bipartisan applause during speech with no outbursts
The House chamber remained at capacity throughout the king’s remarks. It was not apparent that any lawmakers walked out of the address in protest and there were no protests or outbursts.
Win McNamee/Getty Images - PHOTO: Britain's King Charles III addresses a joint meeting of Congress in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, April 28, 2026. C
Several times, Charles was met with bipartisan praise -- including when he spoke of checks and balances on executive power and when he called for peace in Ukraine.The king departed the chamber and shook hands with military officials, retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle -- including Senate leaders John Thune and Chuck Schumer -- and other rank-and-file House members.-ABC News' Lauren Peller
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