King Charles, Queen Camilla cap US tour with Front Royal visit

King Charles III and Queen Camilla visited Front Royal, Virginia, on April 30, the fourth day of the state visit to the United States. The town, with a population of roughly 15,000, is tucked near Shenandoah National Park, home to a portion of the Appalachian Mountains.

USA TODAY reporters describe the historic block party celebration as a royal jubilee. Pizza and beer were laid out on red gingham covered tables, and the 250th Parade Celebration had marching bands from local schools, cheerleaders with pom-poms, fire trucks and classic American cars. Girl Scouts were selling their popular cookies. Queen Camilla grabbed some thin mint cookies for the road.

The main street of the cozy downtown was lined with thousands of people waving small Union Jack and United State flags. A gazebo, decorated with patriotic bunting, stood in the town square. Locals put up a glittery red, white and blue sign welcoming the royals on a road heading into town. Many of the city and states’ MVP’s were in attendance.

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger was present to welcome the royal couple to the Commonwealth, and the Front Royal Boys Little League team, which won the state championship last year, also joined in on the festivities.

Randolph-Macon Academy cadets took part in the historic moment. The band, color guard and regimental staff took part in the parade.

“Representing Randolph-Macon Academy and our community during such a significant occasion is an incredible honor,”  the Randolph-Macon Adademy Facebook post states. “For our cadets, this is more than participation. It is an opportunity to lead, to represent, and to be part of a moment that reflects both our history and our future.”

U.S. 250th anniversary of independence

Charles and Camilla’s visit marked the country’s 250th anniversary of independence.

Throughout the trip, Charles met with President Donal Trump, gave an address to a joint Congress where he touched on climate protection and the US-UK’s strong bond, stopped by the 9/11 memorial in New York City and met with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

The king met with the little leaguers, greeted the cheerleaders and the queen even said hello to a little black and white lamb that was brought by a local to the historic event.

“For those of us who live and work here, this is one of those moments that just reinforces what we already know — this town is something special,” Scott Turnmeyer’s, of Front Royal, states on Facebook. “This kind of visit doesn’t happen by accident. It’s something to be proud of — and I couldn’t be more excited to see what this moment does for our community moving forward.”

Reporting by Kristi K. Higgins, Karissa Waddick and Rebecca Morin, Petersburg Progress-Index