King Charles III faced a mixed reception during his US visit on April 29, 2026. He attended events in both Washington, D.C., and New York City. His visit included a wreath-laying ceremony at the 9/11 memorial, but it was overshadowed by the refusal of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to meet him privately.
In Washington, King Charles III received praise for his speech to Congress. He established rapport with former President Donald Trump, emphasizing the importance of US-UK relations. During his address, he highlighted collaborative efforts like AUKUS—a submarine program involving the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
The king laid a wreath at the World Trade Center memorial, accompanied by former mayor Mike Bloomberg. Security was tight in lower Manhattan due to recent events. King Charles III also visited Harlem Grown, a local community organization.
However, the visit was not without controversy. Mamdani publicly suggested that King Charles III should return the Koh-i-Noor diamond. This diamond has been under dispute since Queen Victoria acquired it in 1849. The mayor’s comments reflected ongoing discussions about colonial artifacts.
Criticism arose regarding the king’s lack of engagement with victims of Jeffrey Epstein during his trip. This absence drew attention amid ongoing debates about accountability and justice.
Camilla, Queen Consort, participated in separate events as well. She visited the New York Public Library during their stay. Public support for the monarchy appears to be fluctuating; in Canada, support increased following King Charles III’s diplomatic interventions.
The visit highlighted contrasting views on monarchy and its relevance today. While some praised King Charles III’s efforts to strengthen ties with the Commonwealth realms, others raised critical questions about historical injustices.
