NYC is gearing up for a royal visit from King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Wednesday. New Yorkers should expect street closures, a heavy police presence in public areas, possible traffic delays, and other disruptions during the historic visit.
The British monarchs touched down in the United States on Monday and will visit three locations through April 30, including NYC, Washington, DC, and Virginia. They are expected in NYC sometime tomorrow, though an exact time has not been announced.
King Charles and Camilla to visit at least two Manhattan locations
In NYC, Charles and Camilla will be at One World Trade Center, visiting the 9/11 Memorial. They are also expected to meet with first responders and the families of the victims of Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. The visit is in recognition of 25 years since the horrific attacks on the World Trade Center took place, killing thousands in New York City. Terrorists also attacked the Pentagon and crashed a plane in rural Shanksville, PA., taking many more lives that day.
It was unclear at press time whether Mayor Zohran Mamdani would join the couple at the site, though reports said he had been invited. According to an article in USA Today, the mayor will not be meeting privately with the king.
Also part of the British family’s Big Apple itinerary is a planned stop at the New York Public Library (NYPL) on Fifth Avenue. Here, Her Majesty Queen Camilla will present the gift of a new “Roo” doll to the library’s collection.
The stuffed animal arrives from across the pond nearly 40 years after Winnie-the-Pooh, Eeyore, Piglet, Kanga and Tigger were donated to the library.
Anthony Marx, president and CEO of the NYPL, said Winnie the Pooh and his friends at the library have a global following.
“People from all over the world visit every year to meet the real Winnie-the-Pooh and friends, which are on free and permanent display for all to see in the library’s Polonsky Exhibition,” he said. “On behalf of the library and our millions of visitors, we thank Her Majesty Queen Camilla—and we welcome Roo to New York City. Roo will help us continue to share the wonder and magic of this timeless story with readers of all ages for generations to come.”
Street closures and public transit
New Yorkers should expect a massive security presence throughout the city. The NYPD said the department will have updates on street closures by tomorrow morning the latest. A spokesperson confirmed that the closures will likely be limited to Manhattan.
amNewYork contacted the MTA to ask if any train or bus service changes would be in effect but is awaiting a response. New Yorkers and visitors riding buses on Wednesday should allow extra time for possible delays.
Questions surrounding security arose about the royal family’s visit following the April 25 shooting at the White House correspondents’ dinner. But Buckingham Palace, the monarch’s headquarters, confirmed to the media on Monday that the King and Queen’s visit would proceed as planned.
“Following discussions on both sides of the Atlantic through the day, and acting on advice of government, we can confirm the State Visit by Their Majesties will proceed as planned,” the statement read in part, in Sky News.
Visit amNY.com for additional updates on the royal visit Wednesday.
