Queen Camilla: the story explained

From holding lambs and viewing beehives to ceremonial welcomes and an address to Congress, It's been a busy few days in the US for King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Queen Camilla has emerged this Friday as one of the stories drawing attention in New Zealand.

Key facts

• From holding lambs and viewing beehives to ceremonial welcomes and an address to Congress, It's been a busy few days in the US for King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
• On Wednesday, the royal couple visited New York City, where they paid tribute at the 9/11 Memorial before the King went on to visit an urban farm in Harlem and the Queen attended a literary event.
• King Charles impressed many when he addressed a joint meeting of Congress in honour of the 250th anniversary of American Independence at the Capitol in Washington.
• Re Hannah McQueen’s article “Sex doesn’t retire when you do” (April 29), age doesn’t switch off the human need for closeness – it is just a change of pace and perhaps priorities.
• President Donald Trump earlier called him "the greatest king in my book", as he bid farewell at the White House.

What we know

Going deeper, On Wednesday, the royal couple visited New York City, where they paid tribute at the 9/11 Memorial before the King went on to visit an urban farm in Harlem and the Queen attended a literary event.

On the substance, King Charles impressed many when he addressed a joint meeting of Congress in honour of the 250th anniversary of American Independence at the Capitol in Washington.

Beyond the headlines, Re Hannah McQueen’s article “Sex doesn’t retire when you do” (April 29), age doesn’t switch off the human need for closeness

More precisely, President Donald Trump earlier called him "the greatest king in my book", as he bid farewell at the White House.

It is worth noting that the King then went on to visit Shenandoah National Park while the Queen visited a farm to learn more about horse racing in the US.

By the numbers

At this stage, they then attended a local block party in a small Virginia town called Front Royal, where they were greeted by crowds of cheering onlookers before attending community and agricultural festivities in the town square to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

On a related note, Huge, unexpected admiration for King Charles, having calmly delivered a powerful speech to the US Congress, conveying genuine respect for the strong, mutually beneficial US/UK relationship since Independence Day after 250 years – “or, as we say in the United Kingdom, just the other day”, as he said.

Going deeper, when I was a public servant 40 years ago, it was emphasised that the taxpayer was our employer and we should, among other things, reply to any reasonable letter sent in to us.

On the substance, Even though I am 82 and not very “tech” minded, if they had said where I might find it repeated or on some website, I could have got help to find it.

The wider context

On a related note, your correspondent Mary Hearn says Barry Soper “should know better” than to call former Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern an imposter (April 29).

Going deeper, Here's a brief recap of the royal couple's official state visit.

On the substance, they began today at the White House where President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump gave an official farewell to the royal couple.

Beyond the headlines, their Tuesday was spent in DC, where they were greeted by the president and first lady, the King addressed Congress, and the pair attended a state dinner.

More precisely, Now, they are on their way to Bermuda, and we are ending our live coverage.

The bottom line

• Re Hannah McQueen’s article “Sex doesn’t retire when you do” (April 29), age doesn’t switch off the human need for closeness – it is just a change of pace and perhaps priorities.
• The King then went on to visit Shenandoah National Park while the Queen visited a farm to learn more about horse racing in the US.
• They then attended a local block party in a small Virginia town called Front Royal, where they were greeted by crowds of cheering onlookers before attending community and agricultural festivities in the town square to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
• Searches spiking right now: King and Queen lay flowers at 9/11 Memorial in New York, King Charles and Queen Camilla Hit the Red Carpet at N.Y.C. Gala, Royal Visit to Front Royal: Randolph-Macon Academy Shines at Block Party for King Charles III and Queen Camilla, King Charles and Queen Camilla wrap up state visit with formal farewell from Trump.