State visit day 1: King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive in the US, meet Donald, Melania Trump for tea

Good morning and welcome to another busy week of royal news. We'll be keeping you across all the latest updates from royal households across the globe.

So, what's on today's agenda? 

King Charles and Queen Camilla begin their state visit to the US today. It comes after President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were rushed off stage after gunshots were heard at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday evening. 

Elsewhere, Princess Anne, as Colonel of the Blues and Royals, will present NATO operational medals at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

Meanwhile, Prince Edward will visit Montrose Port Authority, the Community Trust, and the Arbikie Distillery.  

Britain’s ambassador to the US has said "all appropriate security measures" are in place following the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday. 

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were rushed off stage and evacuated after gunshots were heard at the dinner.

Sir Christopher Turner said UK and US security teams had been planning the trip for weeks before the incident, with changes possible "as we go".

"The real point is that our respective security teams have been in close touch for weeks," he said. 

"And any operational changes we have to make, we can make them as we go, and we are all very confident that all appropriate security measures are in place."

Minor adjustments will be made to one or two royal engagements, however, the overall plan remains unchanged.

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Prince Albert of Monaco has issued an official statement following the armed attack at the White House Correspondents’ Association annual dinner on Saturday. 

Addressing President Donald Trump in a statement released on Sunday, the monarch wrote: "Mr. President, It is with emotion that I learnt of the events which took place last night in Washington, on the sidelines of the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

"I wish to convey my relief at knowing that you, together with the First Lady and allthose in attendance, are safe and unharmed following this act of exceptional gravity.

"On behalf of the Monegasque community, Princess Charlene and my Family, I extendto you, as well as your spouse and the American people, the expression of our solidarity.

"Albert, Prince of Monaco."

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King Charles' trip to the United States marks the first state visit to the country by a British monarch since 2007. It comes at a time when President Donald Trump has said the US-UK relationship has "been better". 

"The royal family's brand of soft diplomacy has rarely been more crucial than at this precarious time for relations between the US and the UK," HELLO!'s royal contributor Tracy Schaverien said. "Donald Trump has made no secret of his disapproval of our Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, after his refusal to allow British forces to join the offensive action in Iran.

"However it's also no secret how much the President admires our royal family and the King has an important role to play in keeping the 'special relationship' between our countries on track. While protocol dictates that he can't get involved in political debates, he is skilled at turning on the royal charm while remaining politically neutral."

Read more here. 

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The Dutch Royal Family will celebrate King's Day today, along with the people of Dokkum. 

King Willem-Alexander and his family will walk through Dokkum from 11am, beginning at the Bonifatius Chapel, where Frisian horses will escort the royal family to the starting point of their route.

The royal family's official Instagram page shared a photo of the monarch and his family preparing to make their way to downtown Dokkum. 

HELLO's Royal Editor Emily Nash is in Washington to accompany the King and Queen on their US State Visit. Here, she reveals why security risks, tensions and conflict could make this trip the King's biggest challenge yet as a monarch.

Emily will be covering the state visit throughout the week and sharing her analysis and opinions with VIP subscribers, join today to read the full article.

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King Willem-Alexander posed alongside his wife, Queen Maxima, and their three daughters, Princess Catharina-Amalia, Princess Ariane and Princess Alexia, during King's Day on Monday. 

The Dutch national holiday celebrates the birthday of King Willem-Alexander, who turned 59 today. 

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Prince Harry was pictured at The National War Memorial Cemetery in Kyiv, laying flowers on the graves of unknown Ukrainian servicemen amid the Russian invasion. 

The Duke of Sussex, 41, who is currently on a solo visit to Ukraine, looked sombre as he paid his respects to the fallen soldiers. Wearing his multiple military medals he earned during his career for the British Army, Harry knelt at one graveside and placed a bunch of red roses down.

Read more. 

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President Donald Trump has made no secret of his admiration for the royals. But did you know that his fascination with the royals began with his Scottish mother, Mary Anne MacLeod Trump?

"It goes right back to his really early days when his Scottish mother spent hours in front of the TV watching the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953. It's a really strong childhood memory for Trump, and he remembers it well and how absolutely fascinated and enthralled his mother was with royalty, and some of that rubbed off on him," David Charter, author of Royal Audience: 70 Years, 13 Presidents — One Queen's Special Relationship with America, tells HELLO!. 

"There's no question that he absolutely delights in royal company," David adds, describing the President as "a huge royalist."

Find out more. 

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Princess of Wales stepped out in central London on Saturday to mark Anzac Day, an important time to commemorate all Australians and New Zealanders who have lost their lives in conflict and to recognise all those who have served.

Princess Kate laid her wreath at the Cenotaph on behalf of her father-in-law King Charles, before attending a service of commemoration and thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey. 

She was not joined by other members of the royal family, although Princess Anne had attended the dawn service at Wellington Arch, Hyde Park Corner in the early hours of the morning.

See more photos here and read the personal message Kate attached to the wreath. 

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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's new home has been hit with a huge change that signals his new status as a "commoner". 

The former prince shares the same front door style as the rest of the staff and general public on King Charles's Sandringham estate. Marsh Farm now has a light blue front door. Find out the significance of this here. 

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King Charles has sent a message to King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, wishing him and the Dutch people a happy King's Day.

The message was posted on the British royal family's official social media pages. 

"On the occasion of your National Day, my wife and I extend to you and to the citizens of the Netherlands our heartfelt congratulations and warmest good wishes," the statement reads. 

"This day serves as a valued opportunity to reflect upon the enduring friendship between our nations. I am deeply encouraged by the strength of our bilateral ties and remain committed to fostering even closer cooperation in the years to come.

"As we face the shared challenges of our time, particularly those concerning the climate and the preservation of our natural world, I am hopeful that our countries may continue to work together in pursuit of meaningful and lasting solutions," continues the monarch.

"My wife and I send our sincerest regards to you and to all Dutch citizens for peace, prosperity, and wellbeing in the year ahead."

From inside the royal tour, Emily Nash shares her first-hand perspective on The King's landmark US visit.

Don't miss her first opinion piece: Why this could be the King’s biggest challenge yet.

Unlock VIP access now for exclusive commentary, insider updates, our weekly issues and much more.

Sarah Ferguson is reportedly 'desperately phoning' her wealthy friends after concluding her stay at a luxury Alpine resort in Austria. 

The ex-wife of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is said to be contacting her wealthy friends for help after her location was exposed after seven months, according to a new report in the Daily Mail. 

The former Duchess, 66, was pictured staying at a £2,000-a-night apartment at the Mayrlife wellness spa in Altaussee, near Salzburg, a fortnight ago, after disappearing from the public eye for 213 days. 

Find out more here. 

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An expert has weighed in to praise Prince William and Princess Kate's parenting style after their youngest, Prince Louis, turned eight on Thursday. 

Commenting on the beautiful portrait released by the couple to mark Louis' birthday, Dr. Amanda Gummer, who is a psychologist who specialises in child development and Chair of the Association of Play Industries, told HELLO!: "I think it points to a parenting style that values resilience and real-world experience, allowing children the freedom to be active and curious while recognising that minor mishaps are a normal, healthy part of development."

Read more here.

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Back in 1981, when King Charles, then-the Prince of Wales, met with President Ronald Reagan in the Oval Office of the White House, the actor-turned-politician was "horrified" after making a "faux pas". 

David Charter, author of Royal Audience: 70 Years, 13 Presidents — One Queen's Special Relationship with America, tells HELLO!: "Ronald Reagan was horrified when he had Prince Charles into the Oval Office and they brought him a cup of tea that still had the tea bag in it, and he could see that he wasn't drinking this cup of tea, and he thought he'd made a terrible faux pas."

It's "a very small little faux pas like that," David thinks "that somehow only endear each side [the British and Americans] to the other a little bit more".

Find out more. 

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Princess Leonor of Spain will begin her university studies in Madrid after the summer. The Royal Household has announced that the heir to the throne will study Political Science at the University Carlos III of Madrid for four years. 

Her studies will take place at the Getafe campus.

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King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima and Princess Ariane of the Netherlands showed off their skating skills on Monday. The family took to the ice rink during the King's Day celebrations in Dokkum.

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Almost 40 years earlier, King Willem-Alexander, then 18, participated in the Elfstedentocht, a long-distance ice-skating event under a pseudonym.The future king signed up under the name W.A. van Buren and was one of the 14,989 out of 16,999 people who managed to finish the tour. 

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That's all from me, folks! I'll be leaving you in the capable hands of writer Ella Rayment-Ward, who will be guiding you through the latest royal news this afternoon. 

Good afternoon, royal fans! 

I'm here to take you through an afternoon of royal news. 

Stay tuned for all the latest. 

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The British Embassy is busy in the kitchen getting ready for King Charles and Queen Camilla's arrival in Washington. 

In a behind-the-scenes video posted to X (formerly Twitter), Craig Harnden, the Head Chef at the British Embassy, shared a sneak peek at the afternoon tea preparations underway for 650 people, including the royals. 

The chef revealed they were making approximately 2,500 to 3,000 individual sandwiches, with four different types on the menu, including Scottish salmon and British beef options. And to finish, scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream. 

The Duke of Kent's granddaughter, Lady Amelia Windsor, shared a behind-the-scenes look from a recent star-studded evening – and she had the most timeless outfit for the occasion. 

The model wore a sweet little black mini dress, courtesy of Prada, for a Prada Beauty event that was attended by House of Guinness actress Niamh McCormack, My Fault London star Asha Banks, and more celebrity attendees. 

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Amelia paired her classic look with black heels in photos posted to her Instagram. 

While they're raising three royal children, the Prince and Princess of Wales are reportedly "normal" and "active" in their roles as school parents. 

William and Kate's three children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, are all currently at Lambrook School in Berkshire. According to sources cited in The Telegraph, the royal couple are "heavily involved" when it comes to their children's schools, which extends to the parents' WhatsApp groups. 

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Read the full story here. 

This summer, HELLO! is celebrating the legacy of the late Diana, Princess of Wales with a special one-off event. The intimate live podcast event will take place on Wednesday 24 June at London's Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences with authors Ingrid Seward and Andy Webb, and designer Jacques Azagury as guest speakers. 

From a Q&A session to an afternoon tea and the chance to see one of Diana's dresses in person, the event will reminisce on the late royal's life and legacy as she would have turned 65 this year. 

See all the details here. 

In their 74-year marriage, the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip typically did not engage in public displays of affection. But in Ian Lloyd's book, The Queen: 70 Chapters in the Life of Queen Elizabeth II, the royal author has recounted a rare moment when Phillip was caught flirting with his long-term wife in public – and how she reacted. 

Ian claimed that according to Chief Petty Officer William Evans, there was one time when Philip 'pinched her bottom' and ran after her. 

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He said the Queen was "screaming with laughter and shouting 'Stop it! Philip, stop it, stop it, stop it!' as Philip ran after her, pinching her bottom repeatedly and growling, 'Get up there, girl, get up there!'".

King Charles and Queen Camilla will soon touch down in Washington for their four-day US State Visit. Get even more insight on the State Visit with HELLO! VIP.

The red carpet is being rolled out for King Charles and Queen Camilla ahead of their arrival at Joint Base Andrews today. 

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Members of a US Military honour guard were also pictured rehearsing on the tarmac before the royal couple's touch down in the US.

We're moments away from seeing King Charles and Queen Camilla in the US. 

After the royal couple's plane landed, members of the US military rolled out a red carpet at the foot of the stairs for the royals to walk down. 

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King Charles and Queen Camilla have officially landed in the US at Joint Base Andrews. They'll soon disembark the plane and kick off their four-day state visit.

The royals flew to the US on the British government GBNI aeroplane, which the Royal Standard and the American 'stars and stripes' flags flying from the cockpit.

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Stay tuned as we wait to see the royals.