King Charles and Queen Camilla ended their US State Visit with a rare public kiss on the lips, a small moment that drew attention as the couple prepared to part ways. The farewell happened on Thursday as they wrapped up engagements in Virginia, where crowds gathered for a block party marking the 250th anniversary of US independence. According to Hello Magazine, the brief kiss was caught on a livestream as the royal couple headed to their car. It came only weeks after Charles, 77, and Camilla, 78, marked their 21st wedding anniversary.
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King Charles and Queen Camilla Share Brief Farewell
The public display was unusual for a senior royal couple who generally keep affection private during official appearances. Surrounded by cheers from the crowd and waving Union Jacks, Charles and Camilla exchanged a quick kiss before stepping into the car. The occasion also marked their first real chance to meet members of the public during the four-day visit, which had otherwise followed strict formal protocol. That more relaxed setting may have allowed for a warmer moment between them as they faced several days apart and thousands of miles of distance.
Charles and Camilla Rarely Show Affection in Public
Royal family members usually avoid kissing in public, reserving such gestures for major milestones. Even at their 2005 wedding, Charles and Camilla did not share the traditional balcony-style kiss, instead linking arms as they left Windsor Guildhall. Public affection between them has appeared only occasionally over the years. One early example came in 2001, when Camilla greeted Charles with a kiss on the cheek at an event for the National Osteoporosis Society. They were later seen sharing a celebratory kiss in 2006 after Charles won a polo match at Cirencester.
King Charles Continues on to Bermuda Alone
After the US trip ended, Charles continued on to Bermuda for a three-day solo visit while Camilla returned separately. As reported by Hello Magazine, the King arrived on Thursday evening after being waved off from Washington by President Donald Trump. The Bermuda leg follows what Buckingham Palace described as a memorable visit to America. It also adds another chapter to Charles’s busy overseas schedule, with the monarch taking on engagements without the Queen by his side for the next part of the journey.
Donald Trump Mentioned Whisky Tariffs Before Departure
The departure from Washington came hours after President Trump said he would remove tariffs from Scottish whisky. Buckingham Palace later said the King would toast the President with a dram during the Bermuda visit. Trump also claimed that Charles and Camilla had played a part in the decision, adding a political note to the close of the royal tour. Even so, the image likely to linger from the occasion is the couple’s understated goodbye, a personal gesture that briefly softened the formal tone of a high-profile diplomatic trip.
