Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla officially welcomed to US by Donald Trump

Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla were officially welcomed to the US with an unprecedented military ceremony on the lawns of the White House.

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 for the start of a four-day state visit to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The king and US president had tea with their wives at the White House soon after the royals arrived and an image from the meeting showed the two men engrossed in conversation.

With the so-called special relationship between the UK and US tested in recent months, following a war of words between Trump and prime minister Keir Starmer over the conflict in Iran, officials in Downing Street will be hoping the royal family’s soft power diplomacy can help heal the rift.

Later Charles will tell Congress the story of the UK and US since America’s independence is “one of the greatest alliances in human history” where the two nations find ways to “come together”.

During the welcome ceremony, Charles and Camilla 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.