Only 3 British Monarchs Have Made Official U.S. State Visits: Look Back on Every Historic Trip as King Charles Arrives in D.C.
Only 3 British Monarchs Have Made Official U.S. State Visits: Look Back on Every Historic Trip as King Charles Arrives in D.C.
Brooke MigdonTue, April 28, 2026 at 1:20 PM UTC
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Queen Elizabeth II dances with President Gerald Ford during the nation's bicentennial celebrations in 1976Credit: Universal History Archive/Getty
King Charles III is now the third British monarch to make an official state visit to the United States.
The King and Queen Camilla touched down at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Monday, April 27, kicking off a four-day visit to the U.S. that will include trips to Washington, D.C., Virginia and New York City.
The royals' schedule includes afternoon tea with President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, a state dinner at the White House, a visit to the 9/11 Memorial in New York and a block party in Virginia to celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary of independence from Britain.
King Charles is slated to become the second-ever British monarch — after his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II — to deliver an address to a joint meeting of Congress on Tuesday, April 28. His address comes amid rising tensions between the two nations over the Iran war.
Queen Elizabeth made four official state visits to the U.S. during her 70-year reign, spanning 14 presidential administrations. She made several unofficial trips to the U.S. as well, including a 10-day tour of the West Coast in 1983 that included a visit to "Rancho del Cielo," the former home of President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan.
Related: Photos of Queen Elizabeth Meeting U.S. Presidents Through the Years
01 of 06
King George VI Visits President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1939)
King George and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother with President Franklin D. Roosevelt, his aide, Brigadier General Watson, and first lady Eleanor Roosevelt in June 1939Credit: Hulton Archive/Getty
King George VI made history in June 1939 as the first reigning British Monarch to set foot on American soil when he landed in Washington for a four-day visit with Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
The royal couple toured Washington, D.C., and New York City on the trip, which included a formal state dinner at the White House and a more intimate dinner with President Franklin D. Roosevelt and first lady Eleanor Roosevelt at their Springwood estate in Hyde Park, N.Y.
Roosevelt served the King and Queen hot dogs during an afternoon picnic at Top Cottage.
02 of 06
Queen Elizabeth II Visits President Dwight D. Eisenhower (1957)
Queen Elizabeth, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, first lady Mamie Eisenhower and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at a White House State banquet on Oct. 20, 1957Credit: Keystone/Getty
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, stayed at the White House with Dwight D. Eisenhower and first lady Mamie Eisenhower for four days in October 1957.
It was the second time a British Monarch had slept in the White House, according to the White House Historical Association.
03 of 06
Queen Elizabeth II Visits President Gerald Ford (1976)
President Gerald Ford toasts Queen Elizabeth at an American Bicentennial dinner at the White House on July 7, 1976Credit: Anwar Hussein/Getty
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip traveled to the U.S. for a second state visit in July 1976 to celebrate the nation's 200th birthday with President Gerald Ford.
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The royals traveled to Philadelphia, Washington, D.C, Virginia, New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts during their six-day trip, which included a state dinner at the White House.
"The Queen was easy to deal with," first lady Betty Ford wrote of the dinner in her 1798 memoir, Times of My Life. "She was very definite about what she wanted and what she didn't want. She loves Bob Hope and Telly Savalas, so we invited Bob Hope and Telly Savalas — both came — and if I hadn't kept mixing up Your Highness and Your Majesty (he's His Highness, she's Her Majesty) I'd give myself four stars for the way that visit went off."
04 of 06
Queen Elizabeth II Visits President George H.W. Bush (1991)
President George H.W. Bush throws a horseshoe during Queen Elizabeth's visit to the U.S. on May 14, 1991Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip made their third state visit to the U.S. in May 1991 to meet with President George H.W. Bush and first lady Barbara Bush.
The Queen attended her first Major League Baseball game during the 13-day trip, and became the first British monarch to address a joint session of Congress.
At the Queen's arrival ceremony in Washington, D.C., the lectern's microphones were not adjusted for her height, leaving only her hat visible as she spoke to the press in what has since become known as the "talking hat" speech.
She later joked in her address to Congress, "I do hope you can see me today."
05 of 06
Queen Elizabeth II Visits President George W. Bush (2007)
Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush on the White House balcony on May 7, 2007Credit: Anwar Hussein/FilmMagic
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip were received by President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush during their fourth and final state visit to the U.S. in May 2007.
Speaking at the White House, Bush mistakenly said the Queen had celebrated the nation's Bicentennial in 1776 instead of 1976.
She poked fun at the gaffe at a state dinner the following evening. "Mr. President, I wondered whether I should start this toast saying, 'When I was here in 1776,' but I don't think I will."
Bush's parents, the former President George H.W. Bush and first lady Barbara Bush, also made an appearance to reunite with the Queen after hosting her 16 years earlier.
06 of 06
King Charles III Visits President Donald Trump (2026)
Queen Camilla, King Charles III, President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump outside the White House on April 27, 2026Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty
King Charles and Queen Camilla kicked off their four-day visit to the U.S. on Monday, April 27. The four-day trip will include tours of Washington, D.C., Virginia and New York City, and the King is slated to follow in his mother's footsteps by delivering a rare address to Congress.
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