King Charles III of the United Kingdom addresses a joint meeting of Congress Tuesday afternoon during his first visit to the United States<\/a> as the British monarch.<\/p>\n The address is part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence from Great Britain,\u00a0but comes amid renewed scrutiny over the protection of dignitaries and government officials in Washington following the attempted breach of security<\/a> at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner on Saturday night.<\/p>\n Britain’s King Charles III and Britain’s Queen Camilla pose for a photo outisde the British Embassy before attending a garden party at the British Ambassador’s Residence in Washington, April 27, 2026.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Julia Demaree Nikhinson\/Pool\/AFP via Getty Images<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n “We believe an Address to Congress will provide a unique opportunity to share your vision for the future of our special relationship and reaffirm our alliance at this pivotal time in history,” Speaker Mike Johnson and other top congressional leaders wrote in an invitation to the king earlier this month.\u00a0<\/p>\n Asked about the king’s visit on Monday, Johnson said “it’s a very important visit at a very important time.”<\/p>\n “He’ll be welcomed with open arms, and he, I think he’ll address celebrating with us our independence and also emphasizing that special relationship,” Johnson said.<\/p>\n The king is expected to meet with Johnson and top bipartisan congressional leaders before his address, where he and Queen Camilla will be announced into the chamber similarly to the president of the United States at the State of the Union.\u00a0<\/p>\n The king and queen will be led into the chamber by the House Sergeant at Arms, William McFarland, who will announce per protocol, “Mr. Speaker, Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.”<\/p>\n Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla disembark the plane on arrival for a state visit to the United States at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, April 27, 2026.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Nathan Howard\/Reuters<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n There will be plenty of pomp and show, including a bipartisan escort committee that trails the king as he makes his way to the speaker’s rostrum. Supreme Court justices, the diplomatic corps\u00a0and president’s Cabinet are all invited to attend as well. Vice President JD Vance is expected to sit alongside Johnson atop the rostrum.\u00a0<\/p>\n During the joint meeting,\u00a0members of Congress may try to “hog the aisle” to get a moment gripping and grinning with the king.<\/p>\n Saturday’s breach at the White House correspondents’ dinner raises more questions about the country’s recent string of political violence — including multiple attempts<\/a> to assassinate<\/a> President Donald Trump in 2024; the 2022 attack on Paul Pelosi<\/a>, husband of then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi; the 2025 assassination<\/a> of conservative activist Charlie Kirk; the 2025 attacks on Minneapolis lawmakers<\/a>; and an incident earlier this year where a man\u00a0carrying a loaded\u00a0shotgun ran at the Capitol<\/a> before surrendering to officers guarding the perimeter of the building.<\/p>\n Lawmakers face a heightened threat level, prompting the U.S. Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan to seek record-level appropriations for fiscal year 2027 that exceed $1 billion.\u00a0<\/p>\n U.S. Secret Service agents respond on stage during the White House Correspondents Dinner, April 25, 2026, in Washington.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Alex Brandon\/AP<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Outside of the chamber, Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna will try to turn the focus to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein by holding a roundtable with advocates and victims of Epstein ahead of the address. It comes after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the king’s brother, appeared to share sensitive information<\/a> with Epstein stemming from his role as the U.K. trade envoy and appeared to discuss potential business dealings with Epstein while working for the British government, emails released by the U.S. Department of Justice suggest.<\/p>\n![\"british](\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/affe5196-afbb-4bc4-b5b3-251e9e753c4c\/king-charles-1-gty-gmh-260428_1777383957908_hpMain.jpg?w=375 "\\"british")
<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>![\"Camilla\"](\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/506ddf3a-6f1a-4f7a-9d8b-385a9ded0b04\/charles-5-rt-gmh-260427_1777315966431_hpMain.jpg?w=375 "\\"Camilla\\"")
<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>![\"Congress\"](\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/e017fca4-ca00-495f-8170-ef80bf1c97e0\/donald-trump-26-ap-gmh-260425_1777169270112_hpMain.jpg?w=375 "\\"Congress\\"")
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