King Charles III and his wife, Queen Camilla, commemorated victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack during their visit to New York City on Wednesday.

The royal couple laid a bouquet of white lilacs, daffodils and peonies at the 9/11 memorial in lower Manhattan where the World Trade Center's twin towers once stood.

The towers were destroyed when militants from the al-Qaeda Islamist terrorist group flew two planes into them, killing 2,753 people.

A note accompanying the flowers laid by the royal couple read: "We honour the memory of all those who so tragically lost their lives on 11th September 2001, and stand in enduring solidarity with the American people in the face of such profound loss. Charles R ‌Camilla R."

The royal couple then met with relatives of victims and first responders to the terrorist attack.

"I found it extremely sweet that I was allowed to hug the queen," Anthoula Katsimatides, who was among those present, told the Associated Press. Katsimatides' brother died at the World Trade Center.

"She was quite endearing, as was the king. I also told him that I thought he was adorable," she said.

King Charles also briefly spoke with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani at the ceremony and met other local dignitaries.

Afterwards, the king toured an after-school, urban farming initiative in Harlem that works with young people affected by food insecurity.

At the Harlem Grown farm, Charles planted lavender and mustard seeds with primary school children and fed chickens as he chatted to primary school children.

Charles and Camilla on four-day state visit

The royal couple's four-day state visit to the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of America's declaration of independence from British rule.

On Monday, King Charles and his wife joined President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump for tea at the White House.

On Tuesday, Charles delivered a rare speech before Congress followed by a formal state dinner at the White House.

His speech focused primarily on strengthening the UK's longstanding friendship with the US but also argued the need for a strong NATO and help for Ukraine.

Trump claims Charles 'would probably have helped' with Iran

Following Charles' speech, Trump said that Charles III "would have probably helped" the United States in its military offensive against Iran.

Trump has repeatedly criticized the United Kingdom for failing to join strikes against Iran and branded Prime Minister Keir Starmer as weak and indecisive.

He feels differently about the king.

"The king is fantastic," Trump said on Wednesday. "We spent a lot of time together. We had a lot of talk. We talked about this also, and he loves his country, and he's a great king, and he's a great friend of mine.

"And I think if he were doing that, if that were up to him, he would have probably helped us with Iran."

The royal couple are expected to wrap up their US visit by returning to the White House on Thursday with a formal farewell from Trump.

Edited by: Zac Crellin