King Charles III and Queen Camilla began their trip to New York on Wednesday (local time) with a visit to the National September 11 Memorial, where they honored the victims of the 2001 attacks during a wreath-laying ceremony, the AP reported.
The visit to the National 9/11 Memorial came during a busy tour of the city, in the middle of the royal couple’s four-day visit to the United States, marking 250 years of American independence. King Charles III’s visit to New York was also the first by a reigning British monarch since Queen Elizabeth II’s 2010 trip.
King Charles III, Queen Camilla in New York
The King and Queen arrived in a motorcade and were greeted by various dignitaries at the memorial. They were also accompanied by the former mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg. They reached one of the parapets surrounding the two pools that bear the names of the victims of the 9/11 attacks. Charles placed the flowers on the windowsill.
Afterward, the royal couple shook hands and spoke with several people, including families of victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks and first responders. Some relatives also held photographs of their lost relatives. King Charles III and Queen Camilla also met with NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill and other dignitaries. The ceremony was held ahead of the 25th anniversary of the attacks.
Queen Camilla visit the New York Public Library
After visiting the Memorial, Queen Camilla is scheduled to visit the New York Public Library to deliver a new Roo doll to be added to the public library’s famous collection of Winnie the Pooh stuffed animals as the beloved children’s character turns 100 this year.
The five dolls currently on display, Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore and Kanga, were inspired by characters in AA Milne’s children’s books. They were originally owned by the author’s son Christopher Robin in the 1920s. The dolls, donated to the library in 1987, are now the centerpiece of the children’s literature collection. In the books, Roo is Kang’s young son, a little brown kangaroo.
The royal couple’s itinerary in New York
Meanwhile, it is expected that King Charles III. will visit an after-school urban farming effort that works with youth affected by food insecurity. He later meets with business and financial leaders in Manhattan.
Later, the royal couple will attend a reception for the King’s Trust, a charity founded in 1976 by King Charles III.
King Charles, Queen Camilla’s four-day visit to the US
The royal couple’s first visit since Queen Elizabeth II in 2010 began earlier this week when the two joined US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for tea at the White House on Monday.
A closed-door meeting between King Charles and Trump took place in the Oval Office on Tuesday, after which the British monarch delivered a rare speech to Congress, the first by a monarch since Queen Elizabeth II. in 1991. Followed by a formal state dinner at the White House.
The royal couple is also expected to visit Virginia before wrapping up their US visit to the White House on Thursday. Trump will hold a formal farewell at the White House, after which Charles will travel to Bermuda for his first visit as king to a British overseas territory.
