TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - King Charles III and Queen Camilla have arrived in the United States for a historic visit, marking the first British state trip since Elizabeth II’s visit in 2007. Regarded as one of the highest forms of diplomatic engagement, state visits occur only rarely.
Beyond the current reigning British monarchs, several other royals have also visited the United States, both on official conventions or informal occasions. Here are some of the most remarkable names, as cited from E!News, BBC, and People.
List of royals who have visited the United States
1. Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II was among the most frequent royal visitors to the United States, completing four official state visits across a 70-year reign that spanned 14 presidential administrations. Her ties to the U.S. began even before she became queen, when she toured the country with Prince Philip in 1951.
In addition to formal visits, she made notable private trips, including a 1983 West Coast tour that brought her to Rancho del Cielo, the residence of Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan.
2. King George VI
King George VI made history in June 1939 as the first reigning British monarch to visit the United States, arriving with Queen Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon for a landmark four-day trip.
The visit included tours of Washington, D.C., and New York City, a formal White House dinner, and a more personal gathering at Hyde Park hosted by Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt, where the royal couple was famously served hot dogs during a casual picnic.
3. Prince William & Kate Middleton
Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, have made a series of high-profile visits to the United States since their 2011 wedding. Their first trip came just months after their marriage, with a memorable stop in Los Angeles following a Canadian tour.
The couple returned in 2014 for engagements in New York City, where Catherine partnered with Chirlane McCray. More recently, they visited Boston in 2022, culminating their trip with the Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony.
4. King Charles III
King Charles III and Queen Camilla recently began a four-day visit to the United States, with stops in Washington, D.C., Virginia, and New York City. During the trip, the King is expected to follow in the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth II by delivering a rare address to Congress.
The visit will conclude in New York, where the couple is scheduled to pay their respects at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum and meet with first responders and families of the 2001 attacks, with Mayor Zohran Mamdani expected to attend.
5. Prince Harry
Prince Harry first visited the United States on a solo, week-long trip that took him across Washington, D.C., Colorado, New York City, New Jersey, and Connecticut, years before relocating permanently.
He now resides in California with Meghan Markle and their children following their departure from royal duties. Despite King Charles III’s current visit to the U.S., no family reunion is expected, as the trip remains focused on official engagements rather than personal matters.
6. Prince Amadeo of Belgium
Prince Amedeo of Belgium spent several formative years in the United States, based in New York City between 2009 and 2014. During this period, he built a career in finance, including a role at Deloitte, while also completing his MBA at Columbia University. Following his 2014 marriage, he and Elisabetta Maria Rosboch von Wolkenstein returned to Belgium before eventually relocating to Switzerland.
7. Princess Beatrice
Since her younger sister’s relocation to the Big Apple in 2015, Princess Beatrice of York has frequently traveled between the United Kingdom and the United States. According to insiders cited by Harper’s Bazaar, the British royal is now even considering a potential move to the U.S. The prospect has fueled speculation about a more permanent transatlantic lifestyle. However, no official decision has been confirmed.
Whether through formal diplomatic missions or personal chapters lived abroad, the story of royals who visited the United States reflects a long-standing and evolving relationship between monarchies and the country.
As new visits continue to shape this legacy, the narrative of royal engagement with America remains ongoing. To explore more influential figures who shaped global history, read our feature on the greatest leaders of all time.
Read: King Charles III Urges NATO Unity in Historic US Congress Speech
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