The British and Americans have a long, rich history of friendship, punctuated by a few quarrels here and there. In late April 2026, King Charles and Queen Camilla will enjoy their first visit to the United States in their capacity as monarch and consort.
Across the years, royals have enjoyed visits to the UK. They’ve been hosted by presidents and First Ladies, enjoyed banquets, seen historical monuments and encouraged closer ties between the two countries.
These are those times (official ones, anyway, and with a monarch, heir or in an extraordinary circumstance):
7th-11th June 1939
- Guests: King George VI and Elizabeth, Queen Consort
- President: Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Locations: Washington D.C; Mount Vernon, Virginia; New York City and Hyde Park, New York
George VI became the first British monarch to visit the US during his reign. In 1939, the king and queen headed across the ocean for a five-day trip to America. They arrived to great fanfare in Washington D.C. Following a reception at the British Embassy, they were guests at a state dinner at the White House. They spent the next day at D.C sites and Mount Vernon before laying a wreath at Arlington Cemetery. In NYC, the royals attended the World’s Fair and were escorted by Mayor Fiorello La Guardia. At the Roosevelt home of Springwood in Hyde Park, the royals were treated to casual food which included hot dogs. It was an essential visit in order to boost Anglo-American relations in the lead-up to WWII.
31st October-1st November 1951
- Guests: Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
- President: Harry S. Truman
- Location: Washington D.C; Mount Vernon, Virginia and Arlington; Virginia.
During a tour of Canada, Princess Elizabeth and her husband headed south of the border for a two-day trip. As the White House was under construction, the royals stayed at Blair House. A dinner was held at the Canadian Embassy, as the royals were representing Canada. Elizabeth charmed Truman and his family. The royals also visited D.C tourist sites, Mount Vernon and Arlington Cemetery. They finished the trip off with a reception at the British Embassy, a Press Club Reception and a White House ceremony. Princess Elizabeth had stepped up following her father’s major surgery in September. A few months later, she would be Queen.
17th-20th October 1957
- Guests: Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip
- President: Dwight D. Eisenhower
- Locations: New York City. New York; Jamestown and Williamsburg, Virginia & Washington D.C
The young queen headed across the pond with her husband to meet war hero president Dwight D. Eisenhower. In the Cold War era, the relationship between the two nations was of paramount importance, and America pulled out all the stops.
The tour started at Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in the country. Following this, the royal couple headed to the College of William & Mary, named for joint monarchs William III and Mary II. William and Mary is the second-oldest college in America, after Harvard, and counts three presidents amongst its alumni. After a night there, the royal party headed to Washington D.C. They became the second British royals to the White House, after George VII and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, the queen’s parents. She even stayed in the same suite they did. At a formal White House state dinner, both sides toasted the other.
A few days later, the Queen and Philip were taken to see a college football match, in which the University of Maryland Terrapins beat the University of Carolina Tar Heels. At the Queen’s request, they stopped in a supermarket, probably surprising a few people there. Finally, the royals headed to New York City. She was given a ticker tape parade, enjoyed some tourist activities and addressed the United Nations.
27th June and 6th July 1959
- Guests: Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip
- President: Dwight D. Eisenhower
- Locations: Massena, New York and Chicago, Illinois
Whilst on a trip to Canada in 1959, the royal couple headed south of the border on two occasions. During the first, she and Philip went to Massena, New York, where they were escorted by Vice President Richard Nixon. The Queen opened the St. Lawrence Seaway at the Eisenhower Lock and visited the Moses-Saunders Power Dam. A local school played ‘God Save the Queen’ and ‘The Star-Spangled Banner.’
On the second occasion, the Queen and Prince Philip went to Chicago for the day, where she was again celebrating the seaway. There, they were escorted by Governor of Illinois William Stratton. The royal pair were taken around museums, institutes and then enjoyed a banquet at the Conrad Hilton Hotel. This banquet was hosted by infamous Chicago Mayor Richard Daley.
24th-26th November 1963 (estimated)
- Guest: Prince Philip
- President: Lyndon B. Johnson
- Location: Washington D.C
On the 22nd November 1963, the world was shocked when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. A grand state funeral was quickly arranged. As Queen Elizabeth was five months’ pregnant, and generally didn’t attend state funerals, she sent Prince Philip in her stead. The exact itinerary is unknown, but Philip probably arrived the day before at the latest. On the 24th, Jacqyeline Kennedy found Philip on the floor of the nursery, playing with JFK Jr, a boy who would turn three on the day of his father’s funeral. The child apparently said that he had no one to play with, so Philip kindly played with him. On the day of the funeral, the 25th, Prince Philip walked in the funeral procession. When the Kennedy family visited Runnymede in 1965 to attend the unveiling of a JFK memorial, Philip held the little boy’s hand.
4th November-18th November 1965
- Guests: Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon
- President: Lyndon B. Johnson
- Locations: San Francisco, Pasadena, and Los Angeles, California; Arizona and Washington D.C
Princess Margaret and husband Lord Snowdon were sent to America to smooth things over with an irate Lyndon B. Johnson, who was unhappy that the British refused to send troops to Vietnam. A party of eight and fifty pieces of luggage joined the princess on her travels. She first arrived in San Francisco and followed with trips to Pasadena and Hollywood. In Hollywood, she attended a star-studded party that included the likes of Elizabeth Taylor (who left early upon discovering that she would not be seated with them), Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Stewart, Fred Astaire and Gregory Peck. At the party, she offended two Hollywood greats. The first was Judy Garland, who she asked to sing on the spot. The second was someone that protocol-conscious Princess Margaret would have been more respectful of- Grace, Princess of Monaco. She told the consort that she didn’t ‘look like a movie star.’
After some time in Arizona, Margaret and her party headed to D.C. They visited some tourist sites before attending a White House dinner hosted by President and Mrs. Johnson. Margaret, less reserved than her sister, had a great time with the bawdy President Johnson. The parties danced for three hours before the Brits headed home the morning after.
Margaret’s trip was an upset to the establishment. She had indulged in great excesses, refusing to travel in anything but a Rolls-Royce or a Cadillac. The trip cost £30,000- over £500K today- and Margaret’s frivolity saw her banned from making another official visit in the late 1970s.
16th-18th July 1970
- Guests: Prince Charles and Princess Anne
- President: Richard Nixon
- Location: Washington D.C; Camp David, Maryland and Mount Vernon, Virginia
After a trip to Canada with their parents, Prince Charles and Princess Anne headed down to America for a two-day excursion. After being met at the White House by President and Mrs. Nixon, the pair were escorted by Tricia Nixon, Julie Nixon Eisenhower and her husband David Eisenhower. They took in sights in D.C, as well as trips to Mount Vernon, Camp David and the Presidential Yacht. The trip ended with dinner and dancing at the White House. Prince Charles would later recall how Nixon attempted to set him up with Tricia, whom he escorted to the dinner.
6th-11th July 1976
- Guests: Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip
- President: Gerald Ford
- Locations: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; New York City, New York; Charlottesville, Virginia; New Haven, Connecticut; Providence, Rhode Island and Washington D.C
The bicentenary offered a chance for America to celebrate and despite the whole revolution thing, Britain was eager to celebrate too. The Queen and Prince Philip arrived in Philadelphia on the 6th July, enjoying tourist events and carrying out some engagements before retiring on the Britannia. They then headed to D.C, where the Fords hosted the royals for a state dinner at the White House. The President and Queen famously enjoyed a whirl on the dancefloor. After a banquet at the British Embassy the next day, they headed to New York City on the yacht. They held some more engagements and had a banquet on the yacht, headed up for some more stops and then left for Canada. The trip was considered a great success.
18th-30th October 197
- Guest: Prince Charles
- President: Jimmy Carter
- Locations: Chicago, Illinois; Cleveland, Ohio; St. Louis, Missouri; Charleston, South Carolina; Houston, Texas & Los Angeles and San Francisco, California
Prince Charles headed to America for a goodwill tour in 1977. He landed first in Chicago, where he took a tour of several famous spots, doing the same in Cleveland with important institutions. Stops in St. Louis and Charleston were comparatively brief. In Houston, he visited the famous NASA Space Center. Governor George Busbee took Charles on a tour of the state, where highlights included a college football game, addressed the General Assembly and toured the Swan House. His last stops were in California. Pro-Irish Republican protests followed him in San Francisco as he explored the Golden Gate Bridge and visited the opera. Charles left San Francisco after a generally successful tour.
30th April-3rd May 1981
- Guests: Prince Charles
- President: Ronald Reagan
- Locations: Washington D.C
As Britain geared up for the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, the heir took one of his last trips as a bachelor. He arrived in D.C on the 30th April, where he took lunch at the White House and visited some tourist spots. On the 3rd May, he toured Williamsburg and received an honourary fellowship at the College of William & Mary.
17th-18th June 1981
- Guest: Prince Charles
- President: Ronald Reagan
- Location: New York City
Charles made a flying visit to New York City, where heavy protests meant heavy security. He took a helicopter flight over the city, had lunch with Mrs. Reagan and attended several cultural events. It also marked the first time he flew by Concorde. Charles married Lady Diana the next month.
27th-29th October 1982
- Guest: Prince Charles
- President: Ronald Reagan
- Location: Montezuma, New Mexico
Charles headed to Montezuma, New Mexico, to dedicate the Armand Hammer United World College of the American West (now United World College, USA). He met students and faculty.
26th February-7th March 1983
- Guests: Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip
- President: Ronald Reagan
- Locations: San Diego, Palm Springs, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Francisco and Yosemite National Park, California and Seattle, Washington
President Reagan enjoyed a close relationship with Margaret Thatcher, but he also cultivated a good relationship with the Queen. On the 26th February 1983, the royals arrived in San Diego, where they attended several events. After a short stop in Palm Springs, the royals spent some time in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. The plan was to sail to meet the Reagans at the ranch, but a raging storm saw them go by air instead. They were greeted by the First Couple and spent time at the Rancho Del Cicero, though the Queen was surely sad that she didn’t get a chance to go horseriding. A dinner was hosted by Reagan in San Francisco on the 3rd March, whilst the royals returned the favour on the Britannia to celebrate the Reagans’ wedding anniversary. After some time in Sacramento, the royals headed to San Francisco and Yosemite National Park. The final leg of the tour was Seattle, where the Queen took part in some engagements. Following this, the royals headed to Canada. Unfortunately, three Secret Service agents charged with royal protection were killed in a Sierra Nevada Mountains crash. The Queen also faced assassination threats.
9th-13th November 1985
- Guests: Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales
- President: Ronald Reagan
- Locations: Washington D.C; Arlington, Virginia and Palm Beach, Florida
After an unofficial layover in Hawaii, Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, headed to D.C for an official event. They were greeted at the White House by the Reagans on the 9th November and took part in several royal engagements before attending a state dinner. At the dinner, Diana wore a stunning black dress and famously danced with Hollywood star John Travolta. After some more engagements in D.C, there was a visit to a J.C. Penney store, laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington and other events. The final leg of the tour was in Palm Beach, Florida, where Charles played polo and the royals attended a fundraising gala and met Governor Bob Graham.
17th-23rd February 1986
- Guest: Prince Charles
- President: Ronald Reagan
- Locations: Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin, Texas, and Palm Springs, California
Prince Charles took a solo trip to celebrate 150 years of Texas. In Dallas, he presented businessman and future presidential candidate H. Ross Perot with the Winston Churchill Award, the first American to receive the honour. Also in attendance was First Lady Nancy Reagan. The next stops were an oil refinery and San Jacinto Battlefield tours. Mayor Henry Cisneros escorted him around San Antonio, and Willie Nelson entertained him at a ceremony on the steps of the Capitol Building in Austin. There was then a pit stop in Palm Springs, where he played polo.
2nd-5th September 1986
- Guest: Prince Charles
- President: Ronald Reagan
- Locations: Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts and Chicago, Illinois
Charles had a whirlwind trip again later that year. In Cambridge, he celebrated Harvard’s 350th year and attended a number of events with Governor Michael Dukakis, also a future presidential candidate. He then hit Chicago, where he attended some engagements and played polo.
4th-7th March 1988
- Guest: Prince Charles
- President: Ronald Reagan
- Locations: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Palm Beach, Florida
Prince Charles took a quick visit to Pittsburgh in March 1988, visiting a number of locations. He then headed to Palm Beach where he played Polo and then dined at Mar-A-Lago with future presidential candidate Donald Trump and his wife Ivanka. A few days later, Charles was nearly caught in the avalanche that killed close friend Major Hugh Lindsay.
17th-20th November 1989
- Guest: Prince Charles
- President: George H. W. Bush
- Locations: Washington D.C; Camp David, Maryland and Palm Beach, Florida
Charles enjoyed another flying visit in November 1989. The first two days were spent at events in D.C, before the Bushes hosted him at Camp David. He then spent two days at his seemingly beloved Palm Beach, where he played in a charity polo match.
16th-23rd February 1990
- Guest: Prince Charles
- President: George H. W. Bush
- Locations: Palm Beach, Florida; Charleston, South Carolina and Washington D.C
It was another trip for the heir only a few months later. He took part in another charity polo match in Palm Beach before spending a few days in Charleston in the wake of Hurricane Hugo. In Charleston, he focused on business responsibility and history. These were the main issues he discussed on his final leg of the trip to Washington D.C.
14th-26th May 1991
- Guests: Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip
- President: George H. W. Bush
- Locations: Washington D.C; Arlington, Virginia; Baltimore, Maryland; Tampa and Miami, Florida and Austin, San Antonio, Dallas and Houston, Texas
The Queen and Prince Philip headed to America for a busy trip in spring 1991. They were greeted by the Bushes at the White House and were guests at a state dinner. Seated two down from Her Majesty was famed British actress Angela Lansbury. The Queen subsequently became the first British monarch to address a joint session of Congress, in which she talked about their shared work during the Gulf War and the importance of a good relationship. Several whistlestop tours of Southern cities then happened. She toured the Johnson Space Center in Houston and the Alamo in San Antonio among other things. In Baltimore, she attended a baseball game. In Texas, she finally met former First Lady Lady Bird Johnson and hosted a dinner on the Britannia that saw former presidents Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan in attendance. After the official visit ended, Prince Philip jetted off home whilst the Queen stayed for a private, four-day holiday at Kentucky horse ranch to make breeding arrangements for her mares.
12-14th February 1993
- Guest: Prince Charles
- President: Bill Clinton
- Location: Washington D.C and Williamsburg, Virginia
Just two months after the separation of him and Diana, Charles headed to America again. After a pit stop in D.C, Charles attended the 300th anniversary celebrations at the College of William & Mary.
17th-19th July 1996
- Guest: Prince Charles
- President: Bill Clinton
- Location: Asheville, North Carolina; New York City, New York and Newport, Rhode Island
Prince Charles headed once again to America in 1996. The focus was on architecture at the famous Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, followed by a benefit dinner in NYC and a speech for the Mary Rose Trust in Newport, Rhode Island.
11th March 1997
- Guest: Prince Charles
- President: Bill Clinton
- Location: New York City, New York
It was a one-day trip for Prince Charles in March 1997, where he addressed the United Nations. He also attended a charity gala at the Metropolitan Museum along with former president George H.W. Bush and several other high-profile guests.
10th-12th June 2004 (estimated)
- Guest: Prince Charles
- President: George W. Bush
- Location: Washington D.C
Prince Charles was the official representative for the royals at the funeral of Ronald Reagan. He presumably headed home straight after, whilst former PM Margaret Thatcher travelled with the Reagan family for a more personal send-off at the gravesite in California.
1st-8th November 2005
- Guests: Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall
- President: George W. Bush
- Location: Washington D.C; New York City, New York; New Orleans, Louisiana and San Francisco, California
A few months after their marriage, Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, undertook their first joint trip abroad. In New York, they attended several events related to 9/11 and met with UN Secretary-General Koffi Annan. A private lunch at the White House was followed by a state dinner. They followed this with a trip to New Orleans, where they witnessed the devastation of Hurricane Katrina firsthand. The tour ended in San Francisco, where they undertook numerous royal engagements.
27th-28th January 2007
- Guests: Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall
- President: George W. Bush
- Location: New York City, New York and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
It was a busy weekend for Charles and Camilla in January 2007. They visited Philadelphia first and were taken to several historical sites. In New York, they visited a Harlem school before Prince Charles was given an environmental award by former vice president Al Gore at the Harvard Club.
3rd-8th May 2007
- Guests: Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip
- President: George W. Bush
- Locations: Richmond, Jamestown and Williamsburg, Virginia; Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky; Washington D.C and Greenbelt, Maryland
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip arrived in Virginia first to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement, having celebrated the 350th fifty years prior. They were escorted by Vice President and Mrs. Cheney, as well as Governor and future VP candidate Tim Kaine. Following this, the horse-mad royals watched the Kentucky Derby from a special box. It was then onto D.C, where they were greeted by President and Mrs. Bush and enjoyed a state dinner. There were more events in D.C before it was finished off by a garden party at the British Embassy. President Bush famously accidentally implied that the Queen was around for 1776, which the Queen joked about.
17th-20th March 2015
- Guests: Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall
- President: Barack Obama
- Locations: Washington D.C; Mount Vernon, Virginia and Louisville, Kentucky
In 2015, Prince Charles and Camilla visited America again. Their first stop was D.C, where Charles discussed the environment with President Obama and Vice President Biden and took in several sights among other things. This was followed by a trip to Mount Vernon. The trip ended in Louisville with several royal engagements.
4th-6th December 2018 (estimated)
Guest: Prince Charles
President: Donald Trump
Location: Washington D.C
Prince Charles was the royal representative for the funeral of former president George H. W. Bush. Former PM John Major and his wife Norma were also present, and they sat with the prince.
