The King seemed to have had enough of meeting and greeting as President Trump officially welcomed him to the White House on Tuesday

King Charles shakes hands with members of the Trump administration on the South Lawn of the White House on April 28, 2026.Credit : Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty

King Charles cut his handshake line short as he and Queen Camilla returned to the White House on the second day of their U.S. state visit.

Following a private welcome from President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump the day prior, the King, 77, and Queen, 78, returned for a formal ceremony on the South Lawn on Tuesday, April 28.

After entering alongside the president and first lady, the King was faced with a long line of handshakes, as senior members of the Trump administration lined the front row of seats. He proceeded down the line, greeting Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance; Secretary of State Marco Rubio; Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and more.

However, after shaking hands with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, the King seemed to have had enough, throwing up his hands and making a remark that made those waiting laugh. King Charles began walking towards the stage, but President Trump stepped in and shook more hands as the King looked on. After, they all made their way up to the dais.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with King Charles at the White House on April 28, 2026.Jim WATSON / AFP via Getty

It’s not a major shock that King Charles had his fill of handshakes. After arriving in Washington, D.C., yesterday afternoon, King Charles and Queen Camilla attended a massive garden party at the British embassy with over 600 guests from the U.S. and the U.K., where he may have encountered some of those in attendance at the official welcome at the White House the following day.

Prior to meeting and greeting dozens of the attendees, the Queen made a relatable confession when asked about the flight stateside, admitting to feeling “slightly jet lagged.”

Despite their fatigue, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said he spoke with the King at the party and found him “very personable.”

“You can tell that he gets along well and enjoys these events, and takes it all in his stride,” he added.

President Donald Trump, King Charles and President JD Vance at the White House on April 28, 2026.Andrew Harnik/Getty

Following his White House welcome, the King is set to deliver an address to a joint meeting of Congress on Tuesday afternoon. He will be just the second-ever British monarch to address Congress after his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth, delivered a speech at the Capitol in 1991.

King Charles and President Donald Trump at the White House on April 28, 2026.Kevin Dietsch/Getty

Johnson also said he spoke with the King about his historic speech to Congress, and promised he will be “very well received.”

“It’s something everyone is excited about. It’s an historical event, and it’s exciting that it falls on our anniversary year,” he said.

King Charles and Queen Camilla will then join President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump for a state dinner at the White House on Tuesday evening.