King Charles III and his wife, Queen Consort Camilla, closed out their last full day in the United States on April 29 with a visit to New York City after a historic trip to Washington.
Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg escorted the royal couple to the waterfall pools located where the World Trade Center’s twin towers once stood before terror attacks devastated the nation on Sept. 11, 2001.
The king and queen laid a bouquet of white flowers consisting of lilacs, daffodils, and peonies on the edge of one of the memorial pools, designed to remember the thousands of people who lost their lives in the attack nearly 25 years ago.
The king left a handwritten note which read: “We honour the memory of all those who so tragically lost their lives on 11th September 2001, and stand in enduring solidarity with the American people in the face of such profound loss. Charles R Camilla R."
The royals then met political leaders from the tri-state area including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, and New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherill.
The king has been to the United States 20 times, but this week’s visit was the first time he walked on U.S. soil as the King and Head of the Commonwealth.
The visit to Lower Manhattan came a day after he mentioned 9/11 in his remarks during a Joint Address to Congress.
“This year, of course, also marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11,” the king said.
“This atrocity was a defining moment for America and your pain and shock were felt around the whole world. ... We stood with you then. And we stand with you now in solemn remembrance of a day that shall never be forgotten.”
The couple, who married in 2005, held separate engagements in the afternoon on Wednesday.
Camilla attended a star-studded celebration of the 100th birthday of A.A. Milne’s fictional character Winnie-the-Pooh at the New York Public Library near Times Square.
“Joined by guests from across the literary world, The Queen explored the library and spoke of the fundamental importance of reading at all ages,” the Royal Family’s official X page shared.
“Her Majesty also had the opportunity to spend time with representatives of domestic violence charities, who make use of the library.”
Celebrity guests in attendance included “Sex and the City” actress Sarah Jessica Parker and Anna Wintour.