King Charles marks 9/11 remembrance at Ground Zero during US state visit

Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla paid tribute to the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks during a visit to New York City on Wednesday. The royal couple laid a floral bouquet at the memorial site where the World Trade Center towers once stood.

They were guided to the reflecting pools at the site by former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg. King Charles placed flowers on the memorial, which is engraved with the names of those who lost their lives.

A handwritten note from the king read that he and the queen “honour the memory” of those who died and stand in “enduring solidarity with the American people.”

The couple observed a moment of silence and later met families of victims and other guests at the site. The king also spoke with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and met officials from New York and New Jersey.

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Emphasis on shared ties

The visit comes during a period of tension between the United States and Britain, with US President Donald Trump criticising Prime Minister Keir Starmer over his stance on the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

In a speech to the US Congress earlier, King Charles referred to the September 11 attacks and said that the two countries had “answered the call together.” He also stressed the long-standing military and cultural ties between the UK and the US, as well as the importance of Nato.

Iran tensions and policy stance

At a White House dinner, Trump said that the king agreed that Iran should not have nuclear weapons. Buckingham Palace later said the king remains mindful of the UK government’s position on preventing nuclear proliferation, without confirming Trump’s claim.

Britain had earlier worked with the US and other countries on the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, which aimed to limit Tehran’s nuclear programme. That agreement later collapsed after the US withdrew.

Royal visit continues

The visit is part of a four-day state trip marking 250 years since the United States declared independence from British rule. After the memorial visit, King Charles is expected to travel to Harlem to see a community project focused on urban farming and tackling food insecurity.

Queen Camilla, meanwhile, is set to attend a literary event marking 100 years of the fictional character Winnie-the-Pooh at the New York Public Library. She will also meet representatives from organisations working on domestic violence issues.

The visit combines remembrance, diplomacy and cultural engagement as the royal couple continues their engagements in the United States.

(With inputs from agencies)