King Charles III is preparing for his first official state visit to the United States since becoming king in 2022. Ahead of the trip, one planned event is already drawing attention for an unexpected change to a long-standing royal tradition.
A garden party scheduled at the British ambassador’s residence in Washington, D.C., will welcome Charles and Queen Camilla during their late April visit. However, guests have been advised to follow a dress code that breaks from tradition.
Royal Garden Party Dress Code Decision Draws Attention
According to an invitation obtained by the Washington Examiner’s Rob Crilly, guests attending the event are being told “Hats Not Encouraged.” The note stands out because hats and fascinators are typically a key part of royal garden party attire.
Traditionally, men wear lounge or business suits, sometimes paired with top hats, while women wear day dresses with decorative headpieces. The instruction marks a notable shift for an event that has historically followed a formal and consistent dress code.
Royal garden parties date back centuries and are usually held annually at Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Events of this kind are rarely hosted in the United States. One of the most notable past examples occurred in 1939, when King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visited the U.S.
King Charles U.S. Visit Expected to Highlight Diplomatic Ties
The visit, confirmed by Buckingham Palace in March, will take place from April 27 to April 30. It comes at the invitation of Donald Trump and will include a state banquet at the White House on April 28.
According to the palace, the trip will focus on “the historic connections and the modern bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States,” as the countries approach the 250th anniversary of American independence.
The visit will also mark a historic moment, as Charles is expected to become only the second British monarch to address Congress. His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, delivered a speech at the Capitol during a 1991 state visit.
Royal Experts Say Visit Comes at Key Moment for ‘Special Relationship’
Royal experts say the trip comes at a significant time for U.S.-U.K. relations. Susan Page, author of “The Queen and Her Presidents,” told Fox News Digital that the visit could help maintain diplomatic ties.
“The question is, that special relationship that Elizabeth helped forge [between the two nations], does it survive?” Page said. “This is an open question, and the hope is King Charles can do something to preserve it.”
Page also pointed to the influence of Queen Elizabeth II on the monarchy’s approach to the United States. “Queen Elizabeth’s commitment to the United States came from the beginning,” she said. “And that is a lesson that King Charles has also learned.”
She added, “There is no relationship more important to Great Britain than its relationship with the United States.”
Royal commentator Hilary Fordwich described the visit as a key moment for Charles’ leadership. “Given the current dire condition of the ‘special relationship,’ this is a most high-stakes trip,” Fordwich said. “Should all go well, the king could go down in history as rectifying the current crisis by enhancing continuity.”
Fordwich added that it is “imperative that he connects culturally, avoids any controversy, while reinforcing a shared purpose and history.”
