King Charles greeted by President Trump at White House at start of US visit — BBC News

[0:00] King Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived at the White House [0:02] for the start of their four-day state visit to the U.S. [0:05] After being greeted in front of the cameras on the steps outside, [0:09] an official picture has been released of them taking tea together. [0:13] It's a visit with perhaps more jeopardy than usual, [0:15] given President Trump's propensity for off-the-cuff remarks. [0:19] And, of course, it's a visit of some diplomatic sensitivity. [0:22] His relations between the president and the prime minister [0:24] have soured over the war in Iran. [0:27] Number 10 is hoping the king will be able to help [0:29] towards smoothing over the current rift. [0:32] Our senior royal correspondent, Daniela Relf, reports from Washington. [0:37] Despite much talk of diplomatic tension and strain, [0:41] it was a warm welcome to Washington for the king and queen [0:44] from the president and first lady. [0:47] The king's first state visit to America as monarch. [0:50] And President Trump is hosting his first state visit [0:53] of his second term in office. [0:55] It is an important show of friendship [0:58] during a highly secure and highly choreographed trip. [1:04] And there was even time for an afternoon tea and chat [1:06] before the ceremonial aspects of the visit kick in tomorrow. [1:12] Earlier, at Andrew's military air base, [1:14] the king and queen arrived, [1:16] greeted by officials from the British embassy [1:18] and the White House, [1:19] many of whom have been working [1:21] on the diplomatic sensitivities of events [1:24] over the next few days. [1:25] On paper, it is the most difficult state visit [1:29] of the king's reign. [1:33] The attempted attack on President Trump on Saturday night [1:35] has further charged a challenging trip. [1:39] But security reviews have led to only minor changes [1:42] to the king and queen's programme. [1:45] When the president visited Windsor in September, [1:48] security concerns meant he didn't leave the castle walls. [1:52] Every event happened away from the public, [1:54] within the safety of a royal residence. [1:56] The plans this week for the king are not as restricted. [2:01] And from his host, there has been reassurance. [2:04] The White House grounds are really safe. [2:06] This area of not very many acres, [2:10] it's really safe. [2:13] And he'll be staying here now. [2:14] I believe he's going to a couple of other locations [2:17] because he's here for a few days. [2:19] He's a great guy. [2:21] Oh, they called and they are so looking forward to being here. [2:25] Over the next four days, [2:26] the king and queen will carry out a series of engagements. [2:30] The key moment will be tomorrow [2:32] when the king addresses a joint meeting of Congress [2:35] and then in the evening joins the president [2:37] at a glamorous state dinner at the White House. [2:40] On Wednesday, the king and queen will be in New York [2:43] where they'll visit the 9-11 memorial. [2:45] And then an official goodbye from the president and first lady. [2:51] On Friday and Saturday, the king goes solo, [2:53] traveling to Bermuda, a British overseas territory, [2:57] with a focus on environmental and cultural engagements. [3:01] You know, unfortunately, here is not Winston Churchill. [3:03] And then there is a president showing little restraint [3:06] in his criticism of the UK, [3:08] from personal attacks on the prime minister [3:10] to questions over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands. [3:13] But his love of the British royal family is a diplomatic weapon. [3:18] Well, he loves the affirmation that being with royalty gives him, [3:23] especially with British royalty. [3:25] He describes his two meetings with Queen Elizabeth [3:28] as among the top highlights of his entire life. [3:32] They're not going to solve the war in Iran with this royal visit, [3:36] but it can make the landscape a little friendlier, [3:39] a little smoother between the two countries. [3:41] The king won't want to provoke the president, [3:45] but he will want to promote the power of the UK-US alliance. [3:52] Well, Daniela, as you mentioned, [3:53] the king is due to speak to Congress tomorrow. [3:55] Are you getting any indication as to what he might say? [4:00] Well, Fiona, that speech to Congress tomorrow [4:03] is a key moment of this trip. [4:05] The king will become only the second British monarch [4:08] to make an address to a joint meeting of Congress. [4:10] The last time that happened, his mother did it in 1991. [4:13] We are told the speech will be around 20 minutes long. [4:18] The government has been heavily involved in the content, [4:21] but I think a lot of the tone and the language of it [4:23] will be very much the king's own. [4:26] We are expecting right at the top of the speech [4:28] the king to reference events here in Washington at the weekend, [4:31] that attempted assassination of the president, [4:33] talking about offering solidarity and sympathy to the president. [4:38] But he will also say that he is bringing with him [4:40] the highest regard and friendship of the British people [4:43] to the people of the United States. [4:46] The overall message of the speech is one of partnership [4:49] in challenging times. [4:51] And I think rather pointedly, [4:53] the king will say that historically, [4:55] our two countries have not always got on. [4:58] But he will say that time and again, [5:00] our two countries have always then found ways to come together. [5:04] We are expecting some personal touches from the king [5:08] in his speech to Congress as well. [5:10] We're likely to hear him reference his personal faith [5:12] and his military service. [5:14] And royal sources say he will also talk about topical issues. [5:19] So expect references to NATO, to Ukraine and to the Middle East. [5:23] And he will finish his speech by saying that the relationship [5:27] between America and the UK [5:29] is one of the greatest alliances in human history. [5:33] Amen.