Verdict: Mostly False – it happened, but it isn’t standard US protocol for an airport arrival.
Standard US diplomatic protocol places the full national anthem ceremony at the White House, not at the arrival airport.
State visit tradition calls for most guests to arrive in Washington the day before their official ceremony, with a US military band playing the visiting country’s national anthem followed by the American anthem at the White House South Portico. The White House arrival ceremony is where the Presidential Salute Battery fires cannon volleys during the visiting state’s national anthem.
What actually happened on April 27, 2026, differs slightly from the claim. A United States military band performed both national anthems at Joint Base Andrews, before the royals departed for the White House. After the band played both anthems, Charles and Camilla got into a black car to be driven to the White House.
This is not a shocking breach of etiquette. As mentioned above, for a state visit of this scale, the full ceremonial programme runs on April 28 on the South Lawn. The Marine Band will perform both anthems with a 21-gun salute. An inspection of troops follows, plus a Pass in Review of nearly 500 personnel from all six branches of the armed forces.
Playing both anthems at Andrews on arrival day is an extra honour – not the formal ceremony. The claim that it breaks protocol is an exaggeration. The full state arrival ceremony still follows tomorrow at the White House, exactly as protocol requires.
