The King and his younger son the Duke of Sussex last met in person in September, but here’s why a springtime reunion is not expected.
More than two centuries after the American Revolution severed ties with the British crown, King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to visit the United States as the country marks 250 years of independence.
The symbolism is both deliberate and subtle: a direct descendant of George III—the monarch who lost the American colonies—will now help celebrate the superpower they became, bringing a sense of historical closure.
What Charles’s fifth great-grandfather might have found astonishing, former President Donald Trump seems eager to stage with grand theatricality, blending symbolism and spectacle. For the King, however, the focus is on duty, legacy, and measured diplomacy. The trip would mark a significant milestone for a monarch visiting Britain’s closest ally.
When is the rumoured state visit?
While Buckingham Palace has yet to officially confirm, the visit is expected to last no more than four days in April 2026, centered in Washington, D.C. The itinerary is likely to combine White House meetings, ceremonial duties, and official engagements, packed for maximum impact.
Will Charles and Harry meet?
Questions remain over whether the King will also meet his younger son, the Duke of Sussex, and his grandchildren, Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four, during a possible stop in California.
But there will be no detour. While some close to the palace have quietly speculated that the Sussexes might travel east for a private meeting in Washington, their presence would inevitably dominate the headlines and overshadow the state visit, making such a meeting unlikely.
Will William and Kate also visit the US?
There has also been speculation that the Prince and Princess of Wales could accompany Charles and Camilla. Sources stress that while it’s not impossible, it remains unlikely, as the trip is intended to be a state visit with the King as the central figure.
That said, President Trump—who has openly expressed his admiration for William and Kate—may extend invitations for them to attend some of the related events. Additionally, next summer’s football World Cup in the US provides another potential reason for William to make the transatlantic journey.