King Charles, Queen Camilla wrap US visit with Trump farewell, Arlington tribute, Virginia stops

King Charles III and Queen Camilla formally departed the United States Thursday following a ceremonial sendoff at Joint Base Andrews, marking the end of their four-day state visit.

The royals were bid farewell by Sir Christian Turner before being escorted by U.S. Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley past military personnel lined along the route to the aircraft.

The departure concludes a whirlwind trip that included stops in Washington, New York and Virginia, capped by meetings with President Donald Trump.

The King and Queen are now en route to Bermuda, where they will begin the King's first visit as sovereign to the British Overseas Territory.

King Charles III packed in a series of hands-on moments during his visit to Shenandoah National Park, from swearing in young “Junior Rangers” to releasing a bird of prey over the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The King took part in a ceremony with students from Warren County High School, officially swearing them in as Junior Rangers alongside a “Bark Ranger” dog named Bailey, before stopping by a National Park Passport station.

He also met with leaders of the Monacan Indian Nation, including Chief Shields, and spoke with U.S. Fish and Wildlife representatives about conservation efforts across the region.

At one point, Charles looked out over the Shenandoah Valley and participated in a symbolic stone presentation linking the park to Scotland’s Balmoral.

Charles also held a brief exchange with Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum during the stop, which focused on his longstanding interest in environmental conservation.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla were greeted with cheers and waving flags Thursday as they joined an America 250 block party in Front Royal, Virginia to close out their U.S. visit.

The royal motorcade rolled down the street to applause, with Charles seen waving from the car before he and Camilla stepped out to a live band.

They moved through packed streets lined with spectators holding up phones and waving British flags, crossing between blocks with security as they stopped to shake hands and chat with locals.

Camilla spent time speaking with children, while Charles joined Democrat Governor Abigail Spanberger and local officials in a gazebo overlooking the festivities before heading down to picnic tables and displays set up for the event.

The King later greeted veterans and performers, shaking hands with members of a clogging group as banjos kicked in and dancers took the stage.

The couple continued greeting residents throughout the stop alongside Front Royal Mayor Lori Athey Cockrell as the block party celebrated small-town Americana to cap their U.S. tour.

King Charles and Queen Camilla will attend an America 250 “block party” in Front Royal, Virginia, in one of their final stops before departing the U.S. on Thursday

Front Royal is a small town located about 60 miles outside of Washington, D.C., located in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The neighborhood celebration is set to feature a parade of marching bands, cheerleaders, the town’s local community trolley and classic British and American cars.

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger and Front Royal Mayor Lori Athey Cockrell are expected to attend the celebration.

King Charles and Queen Camilla stopped at Arlington National Cemetery for a wreath laying ceremony after saying farewell to President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump at the White House on Thursday. 

A 21 gun salute fired as Charles and Camilla arrived at the cemetery and were greeted by Ambassador Monica Crowley, the U.S. chief of Protocol.

The royals were then escorted to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where Charles placed a wreath and Camilla placed a posy.

A military band played four muffled ruffles and Taps before a moment of silence.

Charles and Camilla were then escorted into Arlington’s Display Room, where they were given a tour of the exhibition.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump met with King Charles and Queen Camilla at the White House on Thursday for a formal farewell to cap the British royals’ first visit to the U.S. as reigning monarchs.

Charles and Camilla were greeted by the Trumps as they exited their car at the White House. Trump greeted reporters with a “good morning” as the couples stood for photos before heading inside for a brief time.

When the Trumps and the royals reemerged from the White House, they exchanged their final goodbyes as Charles and Trump shook hands.

After Charles and Camilla drove away from the White House, Trump told reporters, “Great people, we need more people like that in our country.”

The four-day trip is Charles’ first state visit to the U.S. since he became king. His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, made four state visits to the U.S. 

On Wednesday, Charles and Camilla visited the National 9/11 Memorial, where they honored victims of the 2001 attacks during a wreath-laying ceremony. 

Charles earlier delivered an historic speech to Congress celebrating America's semi quincentennial while navigating tensions in the U.S.-U.K. relationship. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

King Charles III's first visit to the United States as a British monarch is drawing fresh comparisons to Queen Elizabeth II's historic trips — with royal experts noting that he appears to be charting a more candid and at times subtly political path than his late mother, while still adhering to the monarchy’s carefully controlled playbook.

Charles and his wife Queen Camilla arrived in Washington, D.C. earlier this week for a state visit in celebration of the 250th anniversary of America's independence and their four-day trip also included stops in New York and Virginia.

Elizabeth visited the US multiple times during her reign, making several high-profile trips that helped reinforce the longstanding alliance between the two nations. Prior to her death in 2022, the queen last traveled to the country in 2007 to celebrate the anniversary of the Jamestown settlement.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams pointed out that Charles' trip comes at a time of increased tensions between U.S President Donald Trump and the leaders of several European countries.

"In recent weeks there has been a series of public disagreements between President Trump and his European allies, especially [U.K. Prime Minister] Sir Keir Starmer," Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital.

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News Digital's Ashley Hume, Stephanie Nolasco and Ashley Papa.

King Charles and Queen Camilla are expected to begin wrapping up their whirlwind four-day U.S. visit back at the White House on Thursday with a formal farewell from President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump.

The monarchs are then expected to make stop at Arlington National Cemetery to lay a wreath before attending an America 250 Block Party event in the Virginia town of Front Royal.

Charles is expected to then travel solo to Bermuda on his first visit as king to a British overseas territory.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.