The incident at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner saw the US President, who had been the previous target of an assassination attempt, swiftly evacuated by Secret Service agents along with other senior members of the administration. One officer, who was shot but protected by his bulletproof vest, was taken to hospital. The suspect, said to have been carrying a shotgun and handgun, has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California.
Asked by a member of the US press how she was doing after the shooting, Melania said “very well.”
Earlier today, the King and Queen were officially welcomed to the US with an unprecedented military ceremony on the White House lawn.
Charles and Camilla watched the display with their hosts, US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, alongside a group of invited dignitaries and hundreds of spectators.
The royal couple arrived in Washington on Monday to mark the start of a four-day state visit celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
During the welcome ceremony, the King and Queen stood on a dais with the president and first lady as the UK and US national anthems were played by “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band.
Nearby, a 21-gun salute was fired in tribute to the royal guests by the Presidential Salute Battery.
Senior members of Mr Trump’s administration were among the guests, including Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Steve Witkoff, special envoy for peace missions.
A large number of military units took place in the ceremonial welcome from the United States Marine Corps Honour Guard to the United States Space Force Honour Guard who performed in the rain, which stopped before the royals arrived.
Before the event began and the royal party appeared, the crowds were entertained by precision marching and playing by the Drum and Bugle Corps, including the United States Marin Drum and Bugle Corps and the US Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps.
The ceremonial welcome had elements that were familiar to the King as he was asked to inspect the troops on parade, an honour performed when heads of state visit the UK.
