King Charles Praises Military Music at White House State Dinner During U.S. Visit
King Charles III has praised the musical performances at a recent White House state dinner, highlighting what he described as a standout moment during his ongoing visit to the United States.
Speaking on Wednesday, April 29, during a trade and business engagement at Rockefeller Center, the British monarch said he was “so impressed by the music from the military” at the formal dinner held a day earlier in Washington, D.C.
The King made the remarks in a brief conversation with Stephen Schwarzman, chairman and chief executive of Blackstone, who also attended the state dinner on April 28. The evening featured performances by musicians from multiple branches of the U.S. military, including the Marines, Army and Air Force.
Known for his appreciation of music—particularly classical—King Charles III has long taken an active interest in musical selections at major royal events. He notably contributed to choosing music for the 2018 wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, reflecting his personal engagement with the arts.
The King is currently on a four-day official visit to the United States alongside Queen Camilla, marking the 250th anniversary of American independence from Britain. The visit began on April 27, when the royal couple arrived in Washington, D.C., where they were received by Donald Trump and Melania Trump.
During the visit, King Charles became only the second British monarch to address a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress, following in the footsteps of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
On Wednesday, the royal couple travelled to New York City for a series of engagements. Their itinerary included a visit to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum to mark the upcoming 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks.
The King later visited Harlem Grown, while the Queen attended a literary event at the New York Public Library. The couple reunited in the evening for an arts reception hosted at Christie’s.
Their U.S. tour is set to conclude on Thursday with engagements in Virginia, including a public celebration marking America’s 250th anniversary.