FRONT ROYAL — King Charles III and Queen Camilla attended a community block party and parade in Front Royal, Virginia, marking the final day of their US state visit. The appearance was the first time the royal couple met members of the US public during the trip.

The crowd cheered as the king and queen arrived at the town square event, which was held to mark the 250th anniversary of US independence. The celebration featured bluegrass music and country rock, bunting and flags, young baseball players, elderly veterans, cheerleaders, and a parade of classic cars.

The royal couple watched a marching band and an Appalachian clog dancing demonstration. They also went on a walkabout to shake hands with locals, the first such walkabout of their state visit.

The event drew a large turnout of town residents and was secured with high-level security. Front Royal, a town with a population of 15,000, is home to local shops including Loose Cow Mercantile, Weasel Creek Outfitters, and Proctor Biggs Feed Mill.

The final steps of the state visit took place in Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley countryside. After the Front Royal event, the king and queen left town in a convoy of large black cars with lights flashing and sirens sounding.

The block party brought together a cross-section of the community in the town square. Among those present were young baseball players and elderly veterans, alongside cheerleaders and classic car owners who took part in the parade. The musical programme included both bluegrass and country rock performances.

Front Royal's selection as the setting for the final public engagement of the state visit placed the small Virginia town at the centre of a historic occasion, as the 250th anniversary of US independence served as the backdrop for the royal couple's only direct interaction with American members of the public during the visit.