ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. -- Britain's Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, have arrived in Washington, D.C., for a three-day visit.

The royal couple landed at Andrews Air Force Base on Tuesday evening. They were greeted by U.S. and British officials and taken to a reception for embassy staff at the British ambassador's home.

The ambassador, Sir Peter Westmacott, said in a statement before the arrival that the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will promote democratic values and environmental preservation, and perform an "essential role" in keeping the trans-Atlantic relationship "special."

The couple will visit cultural and educational sites in Washington over the next three days.

Prince Charles last visited the U.S. in 2011. As he did then, he's scheduled to meet this week with President Barack Obama.