King Charles proclamation and Donald Trump letter buried in Washington time capsule

A time capsule bearing a royal proclamation from King Charles and a letter penned by President Donald Trump has been buried beside the Washington Monument in the heart of the American capital, marking the 250th anniversary of US independence.

The canister, intended as a symbol of the enduring relationship between Britain and the United States, was interred at a prominent spot within view of the White House, Congress and the Lincoln Memorial.

Among the items sealed inside were a commemorative coin produced by the Royal Mint for the semiquincentennial occasion, earth taken from George Washington's ancestral home in Northamptonshire, and creative works by pupils from the Washington Academy in Sunderland, including poetry, letters and a rap honouring the first American president.

The Royal Mint coin was presented as a gift by the King and Queen Camilla during their state visit to the United States in April, specifically to commemorate the semiquincentennial milestone.

Soil from the Northamptonshire estate where George Washington's forebears lived was also placed in the canister, a fitting tribute given that Washington himself led the colonial struggle against British rule before becoming America's inaugural head of state.

Students at Sunderland's Washington Academy, a school bearing the founding father's name, contributed their own imaginative pieces to the capsule's contents. Their submissions ranged from poems and personal letters to a rap, all drawing inspiration from Washington's legacy. These youthful contributions sit alongside the formal diplomatic messages from both nations' leaders.

The capsule occupies a prime position beside one of Washington DC's most recognisable landmarks, situated within sight of both the seat of Congress and the presidential residence.

It is not the only such vessel marking the occasion. A twin canister was placed beneath the restored George Washington statue in Trafalgar Square last year, creating a transatlantic pair of commemorative containers.

Neither capsule is intended for contemporary audiences. Both will remain sealed until 4 July 2276, when the United States celebrates its 500th birthday, a quarter of a millennium from now.

The pairing of the two canisters, one in each nation's capital, was designed to represent the deep and lasting bond between two countries once divided by revolution but long since united in friendship.

The dedication ceremony at the Washington Monument featured a military colour guard alongside musical performances from both sides of the Atlantic. "The President's Own" United States Marine Band played at the event, as did the British Army's Band and Bugles of The Rifles brass ensemble, with each performing their nation's anthem.

Britain's ambassador to the US, Sir Christian Turner, told attendees the purpose of the burial was "to speak to the future". He added: "So to the Americans and Britons who will stand here in 2276, to tell them that in 2026, two nations once divided chose instead to build a friendship that endures, prospers, and inspires, and may it continue to do so for centuries to come."

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US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum described the Department of the Interior as "proud to place this time capsule underneath one of our most iconic landmarks".

Mr Burgum added: "Together with its twin in London, it honours the enduring bond between the United States and United Kingdom while carrying the story of our time forward to the Americans who will celebrate our nation's 500th birthday."

The King's message, engraved on a stainless steel plate inside the capsule, drew on his historic address to Congress in April. It read: "Today I am here on this great occasion in the life of our nations to express the highest regard and friendship of the British people to the people of the United States."

In his letter, Mr Trump celebrated the founding fathers and the spirit of American liberty. He wrote: "For 250 years, this burning flame of liberty has been carried down from one generation to the next and carried our people and nation to heights our founding fathers could never have dreamed."

The president further asserted that his administration had delivered "an incredible renewal of optimism, a resurgence of patriotism and a glorious rebirth of national pride".