They were greeted by US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump outside the White House's iconic South Portico. This followed Buckingham Palace confirming the visit would proceed despite a shooting incident in Washington DC on Saturday night. Cole Allen, 31, was charged with attempting to assassinate the president along with two firearm offences following an incident at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner. He appeared in court yesterday and is due to appear again on Thursday.
The King is understood to have been "greatly relieved" that Trump escaped unharmed during the incident. In the wake of the event, the Palace confirmed that the state visit would continue as scheduled, with only minor amendments to the programme.
The royals were pictured smiling warmly as they were welcomed by the president and first lady on Monday. The four later gathered for tea before attending a garden party featuring an array of notable guests, including former Team GB diver Tom Daley.
Lip reader Jeremy Freeman has since offered an insight into what Melania Trump said to Charles when the pair came face to face outside the White House. As they shook hands, the King appeared to say: "Oh, it's so nice to see you." To which Melania responded: "So pleased to see you." She then made her feelings clear on the state visit with a simple three-word comment: "I'm really delighted."
Following Trump's handshake with the King and Melania's kiss on both cheeks with the Queen, the two couples posed for photographs outside the White House before preparing to head inside for tea.
As reported by the Mirror, Trump turned to make his way indoors, before tapping the King on the shoulder. This action broke royal protocol, violating the unwritten rule prohibiting the initiation of physical contact.
The gesture can however frequently be interpreted as a sign of warmth. Judi James told the Daily Mail: "This touch on the arm as they walked in also looked like a more political gesture.
"It was also the first real gesture of active, 'special' friendship here from a rather more subdued Trump than the very effusive rituals we saw during their last meeting [in September 2025]."
The expert nevertheless added that the King didn't appear troubled by the breach in convention. She added: "Charles has always seemed more relaxed about that than his mother [Queen Elizabeth II], and Trump's gesture was extremely tempered for Trump.
"Just a light, tentative and rather polite touch to steer Charles inside."
Later today the King will address the US Congress, becoming only the second monarch to do so. The first royal to achieve this was his own mother, more than three decades ago in 1991. Both the King and Trump are due to deliver speeches at a dinner this evening. On Wednesday, the King is scheduled to visit the 9/11 memorial, where he will meet first responders who served during the tragedy, as well as the families of those who lost their lives.
The King and Queen will bid a formal farewell to the Trumps on Thursday, before departing for Bermuda, where the King also serves as head of state.
