King Charles Completes First UK Royal US State Visit Since 2007, Amid US Domestic News and Iran-Related Tensions

The trip, marked by strained relations between Washington and London over the Iran war, featured addresses to the US Congress and exchanges of gifts with President Donald Trump. On the final day, the royals departed after events that highlighted the ongoing US-UK alliance despite tensions.

The visit began on its first day with President Trump greeting King Charles and Queen Camilla at the White House upon their arrival. Later that day, the royals visited the British Embassy in Washington. The BBC reported that the trip occurred amid diplomatic frictions related to the conflict in Iran.

On the third day in New York, known as the Big Apple leg of the tour, the royals paid respects at the 9/11 Memorial. Queen Camilla then read to children at the New York Public Library, while King Charles visited a community organization in Harlem. These engagements underscored the royals' focus on cultural and historical ties during the visit.

At a White House state dinner, King Charles and President Trump exchanged several jokes in their speeches. King Charles addressed the US Congress, the first time a sitting British monarch had done so since Queen Elizabeth II in 1991.

The speech highlighted key moments in bilateral relations. The BBC's Sarah Smith examined whether the king's charm offensive with President Trump influenced US-UK ties strained by the Iran war. Separately, gunfire erupted at the White House Correspondents' Dinner held at the Washington Hilton hotel, sparking chaos among attendees.

President Trump and Vice President JD Vance were rushed off the stage after shots were heard. " JD Vance was evacuated from the ballroom stage moments after the shots. New CCTV footage released shows the moment the gunfire occurred, following claims that a Secret Service member sustained injuries in an act of friendly fire.

The suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from Torrance, California, worked for a tutoring company for college-age students. First Lady Melania Trump described Jimmy Kimmel's 'expectant widow' joke at the dinner as hateful and violent. The White House urged ABC to fire Kimmel after the remark.

Supporters and critics reacted to the incident, with neighbors of the suspect expressing shock. Energy prices rose across the US as peace talks with Iran stalled.

A severe storm outbreak battered parts of the Midwest and Southern United States for nearly a week. Aerial video captured destruction after a tornado struck a small Texas town. The storms caused widespread damage in the affected regions.

Thousands of demonstrators marched across major US cities on May Day, demanding dignity, justice, and freedom for immigrants and workers. Protests took place in cities including New York and Los Angeles. The events highlighted ongoing labor and immigration concerns.

The BBC visited The Villages, the world's largest retirement community and a key GOP stronghold, ahead of President Trump's visit. A growing chorus of critics there signaled potential shifts in sentiment. Supporters and opponents gathered to react to the impending arrival.

In Iraq, the BBC visited a heavily targeted US-UK base that faced 28 attacks in a single day before the fragile ceasefire in the region. The base, one of the most attacked in the Middle East, now operates under the truce. The visit provided insight into the challenges faced by coalition forces.

A massive sea lion made a rare appearance in San Francisco. Steller sea lions are more commonly found in the colder waters of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. The sighting in the Bay Area drew attention from locals and wildlife observers.

In Canada, the BBC joined military rangers on the final leg of a 5,200km (3,200 miles) Arctic patrol. The patrol emphasized endurance in extreme Arctic environments.