What the royal couple can expect from the White House state dinner
King Charles and Queen Camilla are getting ready for their first official state visit to the United States later this month, with a formal White House dinner expected to highlight the long-standing ties between the two countries.
Before the visit, etiquette expert William Hanson explained how the event will differ from the grand state banquets the royal couple are familiar with at Windsor Castle.
Speaking to People, Hanson said state entertaining often follows long-established traditions rather than introducing major changes.
“State entertaining is not particularly innovative. There’s a belief that if something worked once, there’s little reason to change it,” he explained.
The White House state dinner scheduled for April 28 will follow typical American traditions, meaning guests will dress in black tie rather than the more formal white tie often seen at British royal banquets.
“The last time the Americans used white tie was when President George W. Bush hosted the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh,” Hanson noted, referring to Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s 2007 visit to the US. “It will still feel very formal for most people, but slightly more relaxed than a British state dinner.”
Another noticeable difference will be the setting and guest list. According to Hanson, American state dinners usually include more celebrities and guests seated at round tables rather than the single long banquet table commonly used at Windsor.
The upcoming visit is expected to celebrate the historic links between the United Kingdom and the United States while also highlighting their modern partnership. In a statement, Donald Trump said the visit would mark the 250th anniversary of American Independence and recognise the enduring relationship between the two nations.
Hanson also pointed out that the personal style of King Charles may play a role in the success of the visit.
“The purpose of a state visit is to build relationships,” he said. “The King is very personable, a good conversationalist and has a strong sense of humour.”
He added that Charles tends to be relaxed and genuinely interested in people, qualities that help him connect with guests during official engagements.
