King Charles and Camilla Lay Flowers at 9/11 Memorial

King Charles III and Queen Camilla have laid flowers at the September 11 Memorial in New York during their state visit to the United States, marking a solemn moment of remembrance for the victims of the 2001 attacks.

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The royal couple visited the site for the first time, paying tribute to the nearly 3,000 people who were killed during the attacks on 11 September 2001. Their visit formed part of the third day of a four-day trip to the US.

Tribute at the memorial

Standing beside the reflecting pools at the memorial site in lower Manhattan, the King and Queen placed a bouquet of white roses in honour of those who died. The pools mark the footprint of the former towers of the World Trade Center, destroyed during the September 11 attacks.

A handwritten note left with the flowers read: “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.”

During the visit, the King and Queen spoke with families of victims and first responders who took part in rescue operations after the attacks.

Among those present were New York’s mayor, Zohran Mamdani, and former mayor Michael Bloomberg, along with other dignitaries.

The event took place under tight security, with road closures, checkpoints and a strong police presence around the memorial area. Helicopters were also seen circling overhead as the visit took place.

Remarks on the attacks

The importance of the attacks was also highlighted earlier in the visit when the King addressed members of the United States Congress.

In that speech, he described the attacks as a defining moment for the country and spoke about the global reaction that followed.

“This atrocity was a defining moment for America and your pain and shock were felt around the whole world,” he told lawmakers.

He also used the moment to urge continued support for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, noting that member states had rallied behind the United States after the attacks. The King said a similar determination was now needed to support Ukraine.

Cultural visit during US trip

While the memorial visit was sombre, other parts of the New York itinerary are expected to have a lighter tone.

Queen Camilla, who promotes reading through her Queen's Reading Room initiative, is presenting a special gift to the New York Public Library.

The library has displayed the original stuffed toys that inspired the characters in Winnie-the-Pooh since 1987. However, one character — Roo, the baby kangaroo — has been missing from the collection since the 1930s.

To fill the gap, the Queen has brought a replacement Roo toy from the UK, produced by the same company that made the original toys.

The King is also due to visit Harlem later in the day to see a project focused on education and access to healthy food.

The royal couple will conclude the day by attending a reception celebrating creative industries, which organisers say is expected to draw a number of well-known guests.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 30 April 2026

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