British King Charles, Queen Camilla visit Arlington cemetery

by · UPI

April 30 (UPI) -- King Charles III, known as a lover of nature and the environment, visited Front Royal, Va., and Shenandoah National Park on Thursday after his visit to Arlington National Cemetery on his final day in the country.

The king and Queen Camilla stopped in Front Royal and greeted locals, escorted by Gov. Abigail Spanberger, in the town square as crowds gathered to welcome them. The town is at the edge of Shenandoah National Park.

Sean Mennard, a resident and official of Front Royal, told CNN he found the king to be "very personable."

"It was just very pleasant to see such important individuals come to the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia and interact with locals and people who really make such a great country work," Mennard said. "To see the King of England and Queen Camilla come, it's just amazing to see that come full circle somewhere that's so local to me and somewhere I've lived my whole life."

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The royal couple spent about 30 minutes in the town interacting with the community at the event, hosted by America250, which is coordinating the anniversary festivities for the country's 250th anniversary.

The festivities included a parade with a marching band and classic British and American cars, and a potluck meal.

After the visit, they went to Shenandoah, where they were greeted by rangers and attended a junior ranger swearing-in ceremony.

Charles also visited with members of the Monacan Indian Nation at Shenandoah.

Earlier in the day, the royal couple visited Arlington National Cemetery, where they stopped to visit the Canadian Cross of Sacrifice, a memorial to the U.S. citizens who volunteered for the Canadian Expeditionary Force in World War I.

The national anthems of Britain and United States were played before Charles and Camilla approached the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to pay their respects.

The king laid a wreath, and the queen laid a posy.

Thursday morning, they visited the White House to say an official good-bye to President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump.

King Charles visits President Donald Trump in Washington

King Charles III toasts with President Donald Trump during a state dinner at the White House in Washington on April 28, 2026. Photo by Craig Hudson/UPI | License Photo