King and Queen US tour RECAP: Charles and Camilla met by frantic fans in New York

Richie, the first global ambassador and chairman of the Global Ambassador Group for the King’s Trust, said about Charles’ address on Tuesday on Capitol Hill: “I thought it was brilliant and how he threaded the needle – so brilliant, but brought us back into humanity as only he can do

“A friend, giving advice as to what we should be doing, a wise friend.”

Lionel Richie, King's Trust Global Ambassador, gave a speech at the Greater Together event in which he said the UK/US relationship is the 'best of cultural experience' s they 'put arms round kids, promote them to a better place'.

The singer said: "I've done this for 40 years. We are now taking it to the next stage, taking the global group around the world.

"For 50 years the gentleman I'm gonna bring forward is actually responsible for more than you know about the heart of kids.

"When I met him we didn't have too much in common in terms of the way we grew up and then we started talking and we realised we're from the same place.

"We have the same heart."

The King and Queen are currently at the Greater Together Reception, in partnership with King’s Trust: a showcase of the UK’s cultural impact on New York, through the arts, sports and community initiatives, including the work of King’s Trust America to transform the lives of young people.

The event is held at Christie’s, which exemplifies the theme of the evening as one of the world’s most prestigious British-founded auction house.

The King attended a UK-US trade event at the Rockefeller Centre following his visit to Harlem Grown in New York.

Charles spoke to leading investors from American financial services and capital funds and heard their thoughts on opportunities in the UK.

He also attended a reception on the depth and breadth of economic ties between the UK and the US, hosted by CEOs and senior executives from various sectors.

The range of industries represented included advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and technology, energy, infrastructure and the creative industries.

US President Donald Trump made some new comments today that could raise eyebrows during the King and Queen’s third day in the US.

Mr Trump made his remarks today in the Oval Office while Charles and Camilla were carrying out engagements in New York City.

The US President claimed the King “would probably” have helped the US with Iran.

He said: “The King is fantastic. We spent a lot of time together. We had a lot of talk. We talked about this also, and he loves his country, and he's a great king, and he's a great friend of mine.

“And I think if he were doing that, if that were up to him, he would have probably helped us with Iran."

The Queen visited the New York Public Library to join a reception hosted by The Queen’s Reading Room. 

Some 100 guests, including Gyles Brandreth and authors Harlan Coben and Min Jin Lee, gathered to celebrate the literary, publishing and cultural worlds in both the UK and the US. 

Camilla also met representatives of domestic violence charities and the New York City and State agencies for domestic violence prevention and social services, to hear more about their work providing emergency shelter, legal advocacy and ongoing support for survivors and their families.

Sex and the City actress, Sarah Jessica Parker, then joined the Queen and chief librarian Brian Bannon, to view a curated selection of items in the New York Public Library’s collection celebrating America's 250th anniversary and the transatlantic relationship.

Her Majesty read an excerpt from a Winnie the Pooh story to children from a nearby public school. 

The Queen was joined by Mr Jim Cummings, who was the voice of Winnie the Pooh in the original animation.

Before departing, Camilla gifted a replacement Roo doll to the library, made by British manufacturer Merrythought, who produced the original toys at the start of the twentieth century.

The original Roo toy has been missing from the collection since the library acquired the bears, so the gift will restore the collection to a full complement of characters.

The King travelled to Harlem Grown, a local community organisation and after-school initiative tackling systemic health, education and wellbeing challenges faced by children and families in Upper Manhattan by transforming abandoned urban lots into sustainable farms.

It provides safe environments and healthy food for local people.

During his visit, the King observed schoolchildren participating in agricultural activities, including planting and irrigation, before helping the youngsters feed the chickens in the on-site coop.

After his visit to Harlem, he went on an impromptu walkabout.

One woman thanked him for his speech to Congress, adding: “We needed that.” Charles replied: “I keep trying.”

The Queen donned a very special brooch today that carried a sweet tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth.

Camilla wore a Britannia red, white and blue brooch that belonged to the late Queen.

The King and Queen said they “stand in solidarity with the American people” as they commemorated the hundreds of people who died during the 9/11 attacks.

Charles and Camilla expressed their sympathy with the victims and their loved ones in a handwritten message with the bouquet they left at the site.

The handwritten note, in the King’s distinctive black script, said: “We honour the memory for those who so tragically lost their lives on 11th September 2001.

“We stand in enduring solidarity with the American people and in the face of their profound loss. Charles R Camilla.”

The King and Queen met the families of victims and first responders who were involved in the rescue efforts after the 9/11 attacks, as well as currently serving personnel, to hear about the legacy and the human impact of the attacks. 

They also chatted to some of New York’s elected officials, including the Mayor of New York, Zohran Mamdani. 

Before heading to their next engagements in the city, the King and Queen met charities and organisations that continue to support the families of victims and preserve the legacy of 9/11 for future generations. 

This included Tuesday’s Children – which provides youth mentoring, community programmes and events – and representatives from the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Garden – which was opened by Her late Majesty in 2010 as a permanent living memorial to the British and Commonwealth citizens who died in the attacks.

The King and Queen had a solemn start to their day in New York City on Wednesday, as they commemorated the hundreds of people who died during the 9/11 attacks.

Arriving at the National September 11 Memorial in bright sunshine, the couple looked pensive as they looked at the names of some of the 2,983 victims etched into the bronze panels surrounding the commemorative pool.

Camilla, wearing a navy crepe silk dress and coat by Fiona Clare with a Britannia red, white and blue brooch that belonged to the late Queen, looked into the waterfall, which spans nearly an acre and cascades into central, unseen voids, symbolising “absence made visible”.

The site serves as a permanent place of remembrance, reflection, and public education for the people who died in the world’s deadliest terror attack.

This year marks 25 years since the attacks on the original World Trade Centre, and Their Majesties paid their respects by laying a bouquet of white roses on the edge of one of the memorial’s pools before pausing for a moment of quiet reflection.

The King and Queen have arrived at the National September 11 Memorial, 25 years since the attacks on the original World Trade Centre.

It is their first visit to the memorial, which opened in 2001 and serves as a permanent place of remembrance, reflection, and public education.

King Charles is dressed in a blue suit while the Queen is wearing a blue crepe silk dress and coat, both by Fiona Clare.

She's paired her outfit with the late Queen's Brittannia red, white and blue brooch.

Police and heightened security are pictured in New York City, close to the World Trade Centre, ahead of Their Majesties' arrival shortly.

The King and Queen will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks that brought down New York’s Twin Towers by laying flowers at one of the memorial pools.

ANALYSIS: "If early indications are anything to go by, those eagerly watching at home should be quietly optimistic that the King will be able to repair the extremely strained special relationship - but for how long?

"The President couldn’t have looked happier reuniting with the King on the White House lawn. Proudly posing for photos in the Oval Office and gushing that Charles is “a man of class” and a “fantastic person”."

- By Emily Ferguson, Royal Editor in the US

The King’s speech to Congress on Tuesday was met with rapturous applause and a standing ovation as he spoke of the heart of the relationship between the UK and the US as “a story of reconciliation, renewal and remarkable partnership”.

Addressing a joint session inside the Hall of the House, Charles spoke of the “unique” relationship between the two nations, which he said “is more important today than it has ever been.”

It's a vastly different day in New York today after rain risked blowing out the ceremonial welcome for the King and Queen in Washington on Tuesday.

The weather has markedly improved since the chilly downpours in Washington yesterday.

The Big Apple is serving some sunshine, with the beams pouring through the gaps in the skyscrapers.

Good afternoon and happy Wednesday! It's a sunny day in New York today, where the King and Queen are heading for their third day in the US.

My colleague, Emily Ferguson, and I will be bringing you all the latest updates on the royal visit today.

Stay tuned!