King Charles III and Queen Camilla made a busy, symbolic stop in New York City on April 29, 2026, as part of a U.S. state visit that began in Washington, D.C. The royals arrived at LaGuardia just before noon and spent the day laying flowers at the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum, meeting families of victims and first responders, and taking part in a series of cultural, community and trade-focused events across the city before attending an evening gala.
9/11 Memorial & Museum
The day began with a wreath-laying and a visit to the waterfall pools at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, where former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg escorted the king and queen. The couple met with family members of victims and currently serving first responders, and spoke with people who shared personal experiences from Sept. 11, 2001. Beth Hillman, president and CEO of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, said the conversations were “very powerful.” The couple also discussed the memorial’s white-rose commemoration ritual for birthdays and met with individuals connected to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, which continues victim identifications.
Local officials in attendance included New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill; New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani greeted the king as well. Sources told CBS News New York that Gov. Hochul complimented the king on his speech to Congress and emphasized New York’s willingness to partner with the U.K. on economic opportunities. Mayor Mamdani said he would use the occasion to urge the king to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond, a controversial jewel many in India regard as having been taken during British imperial rule; royal expert Dr. Amanda Foreman noted, however, that the monarch does not personally own the diamond and therefore cannot unilaterally return it.
Harlem visit and community engagement
Following the memorial, the royals split their program. King Charles visited Harlem Grown, an urban farming nonprofit with a network of sites across Harlem. He toured the 134th Street farm, planted lavender and mustard greens, visited a chicken coop and met young people and community leaders. Harlem Grown founder Tony Hillery said the king’s visit highlighted shared values around youth, food access and green space. A student ambassador described the organization as life-changing.
Queen Camilla visited the New York Public Library’s Trustees Room to promote reading. She gifted a Roo doll to the library’s collection in recognition of the 100th anniversary of Winnie-the-Pooh and toured a collection spanning 250 years of U.S.-U.K. literary history with Sarah Jessica Parker and New York Public Library President Dr. Anthony Marx. Anna Wintour and dozens from the literary and publishing world were among those greeting the queen.
Trade event and business leaders
King Charles later attended a U.K.-U.S. trade event at Rockefeller Center with U.K. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and leaders from major firms. The British Embassy said the gathering celebrated an economic relationship that supports roughly $1.5 trillion in mutual investment and more than 2.5 million jobs across the two nations. Attendees included executives from Blackstone, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Google, OpenAI, GSK, Comcast, Rolls-Royce, Tishman Speyer and Octopus Energy. Tishman Speyer CEO Rob Speyer noted the company’s long-term commitment to the U.K. market.
The King’s Trust gala and celebrity attendees
In the evening the couple attended a King’s Trust gala marking the charity’s 50th year of supporting young people’s careers. The charity’s work has reached about 1.5 million young people worldwide. The gala drew many celebrities and cultural figures to Christie’s and Rockefeller Center, including Lionel Richie, Martha Stewart, Stella McCartney, Karlie Kloss, Iman, Jasmine Toukes, Donatella Versace and Anna Wintour. Richie stressed the importance of supporting youth; the king highlighted the trust’s long record of service.
Experts on the visit
Royal contributor Julian Payne told CBS News New York that, beyond politics in Washington, visiting a major, diverse city like New York is key diplomatic symbolism and an opportunity for the royals to meet everyday people. Dr. Amanda Foreman said the visit carried weight at a time when, she observed, the United States faces a constrained network of international allies; she noted King Charles’ address to Congress emphasized continuity and the strength of the U.S.-U.K. alliance. Foreman also explained the monarch lacks authority to return state-owned items such as the Koh-i-Noor diamond.
Security and context
Authorities said there were no credible threats to the royals during their New York visit, but significant security measures were in place: visible police assets, large perimeters and intermittent road closures caused traffic disruptions. The king’s protective detail included overseas and local security elements. The visit comes amid global tensions, including conflict in the Middle East, and followed the couple’s multi-day engagement in Washington, D.C., where they met President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, participated in a ceremonial military review and Charles addressed Congress.
Health and background
The visit occurred while King Charles continues treatment for an unspecified form of cancer diagnosed in February 2024. Buckingham Palace has said his schedule of treatment has led to a reduced public calendar, though the king has maintained an active engagement schedule through 2025 and into 2026. The trip marked his first return to the United States since becoming king in 2022, though he traveled to America many times before his accession.
Departure
After the King’s Trust gala at Rockefeller Center, the royal couple left New York City Wednesday evening. The NYPD posted that roads had reopened and thanked officers for ensuring a successful and safe trip for the royal family.