In pictures: King Charles and Queen Camilla begin US state visit

King Charles III and Queen Camilla have arrived in the US at the start of their four-day state visit to the US - the first since Queen Elizabeth II's state visit in 2007.

The trip, which comes as the US approaches the 250th anniversary of its independence from Britain, is aimed at celebrating the strong relationship between the two countries.

Ahead of the King and Queen's arrival on Monday, a military band and honour guard stood ready at Joint Base Andrews, a military air base in Maryland.

As the royals' plane landed, the red carpet was rolled out.

King Charles and Queen Camilla descended the stairs of the aircraft as they began their four-day visit.

King Charles was welcomed by the White House's head of protocol, Monica Crowley, and the UK ambassador to the US Sir Christian Turner.

The King and Queen were greeted with flowers from children.

After walking through a guard of honour, a military band played both the US and UK national anthems.

The pair were driven off the air base for the White House to meet US President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.