King and Queen lay flowers at 9/11 Memorial in New York

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. King and Queen lay flowers at 9/11 Memorial in New York 6 hours ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google Sean Coughlan , Royal correspondent, New York and Gabriela Pomeroy The royal visit to the 9/11 Memorial took place amid very tight security King Charles and Queen Camilla laid flowers at the September 11 Memorial in New York, in a sombre moment during their state visit to the United States. It is the first time that the royal couple have been to the site, which remembers the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives in the attacks of 25 years ago. They met families of those who died and talked to some of the first responders involved in the rescue attempt, with New York's Mayor Zohran Mamdani and former Mayor Michael Bloomberg among the dignitaries present.

The visit took place amid very tight security, with a heavy police presence, road closures, checkpoints and helicopters circling overhead. Getty Images The King and Queen lay flowers at the National September 11 Memorial In the New York sunshine, the King and Queen left a bouquet of white roses beside the deep pools that now commemorate those who lost their lives at this spot. A handwritten note said: "We honour the memory for those who so tragically lost their lives on 11th September 2001.

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"We stand in enduring solidarity with the American people and in the face of their profound loss. " There is a museum on the site, which is now a permanent memorial, in an open space surrounded by the city's skyscrapers. The King and Queen also had conversations with representatives of charities who have supported the families of victims and educational groups who are preserving the memory of what happened here in 2001.

PA Media The royal couple left flowers and a note at the memorial The importance of the 9/11 attacks had been raised by King Charles in his speech to the US Congress on Tuesday. He had called on US lawmakers to maintain support for Nato and had given the example of how Nato members had rallied to help the US in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. "This atrocity was a defining moment for America and your pain and shock were felt around the whole world," said the King.

And he told Congress the "same unyielding resolve is needed for the defence of Ukraine". But there was another diplomatic complication from President Donald Trump, who seemed to suggest that the King would have followed his approach on Iran - an issue that has caused friction between the UK and US governments. "I think if he were doing that, if that were up to him, he would have probably helped us with Iran," said President Trump.

Buckingham Palace was approached for comment. On this third day of the royal trip, the Queen paid a visit to the New York Public Library to highlight the importance of literacy.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.