 |
| State Dinner |
President Trump thanked King Charles III for “one of the highest honors of my life” Wednesday night as he was feted at an ornate state dinner in Windsor Castle — before calling for the US and UK to continue to defend “the values of the English-speaking world.”
Trump, 79, spoke beneath heraldic shields and knights’ armor in St. George’s Hall, where he was positioned at the center of a banquet table between Charles, 76, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, who is recovering from cancer treatment.
First lady Melania Trump, glowing in a bold yellow Carolina Herrera dress with a lilac belt, was seated nearby between Prince William, his father’s heir, and Queen Camilla.
“This is truly one of the highest honors of my life — such respect for you and such respect for your country,” said the president, joking that he would like to be the “last” American chief executive to receive two state visit invitations.
The remark earned a laugh from the King, who had earlier joked that he nearly married into the family of former President Richard Nixon in a nod to the “special relationship” between Washington and London.
“I have always admired the ingenuity of the American people and the principles of freedom, which your great democracy has represented since its inception. Throughout my life, from the very first visit to United States in 1970 and there were 20 visits since that time, I have cherished a close tie between the British and American people,” Charles said.
“In fact, had the media succeeded in the 1970s in their own attempt to deepen the special relationship, I myself, might have been married off within the Nixon family,” he added, referring to speculation that the 37th president had tried to set the then-Prince of Wales up with first daughter Tricia.
“For many decades, His Majesty the King has epitomized the fortitude, nobility and the spirit of the British monarchy and the British people,” Trump said in his own prepared remarks.
“He’s dedicated himself to preserving the glory and unique character of his kingdom, restoring life through the rivers and streams, supporting the works of its artists and composers, [and] planting trees and gardens in its countryside.”
Trump noted that a recently resurfaced 1993 letter written by the future king “described the patriotism that guided his many projects” and expressed a desire “to put the ‘great’ back into Great Britain” — a forerunner of Trump’s own “Make America Great Again” campaign mantra.
Despite the display of personal warmth, Trump concluded his speech with an exhortation to his hosts to “defend the exceptional heritage that makes us who we are.
“We must continue to stand for the values of the people of the English speaking world, and we do indeed stand for that,” said the president, in an apparent reference to ongoing controversies over freedom of speech in Britain.
Charles, in his own speech to the elite gathering of politicians, royalty and business leaders, noted the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence, saying “it is remarkable to think just how far we have come.”
“In two World Wars, we fought together to defeat the forces of tyranny. Today, as tyranny once again threatens Europe, we and our allies stand together in support of Ukraine, to deter aggression and secure peace,” the king said.
“Our countries are working together in support of crucial diplomatic efforts, not least of which, Mr. President, is your own personal commitment to finding solutions to some of the world’s most intractable conflicts in order to secure peace.”
King Charles could be seen speaking to Trump as the two couples entered the hall, the Queen and first lady smiling on either side of the friends.
The banquet itself included a nod to Trump’s UK roots — with vintages of wine and cognac selected to reflect the birth years of both the American president and his Scotland native mother.
Prince William wore the Windsor uniform, court dress for Windsor Castle, while his wife, the former Kate Middleton, opted for a cream-colored gown with gold lace.
First daughter Tiffany Trump and husband Michael Boulos were seen walking behind the royal duo — with Boulos snagging a well-positioned seat one down from the president. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also sat near Trump on King Charles’ left.
The state dinner had been in the planning stages for months, with the menu and details personally being approved by the King and Queen.
The last time Trump attended a state dinner was in 2019 with the late Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.
King Charles III and President Trump Ride Together in Carriage
No comments:
Post a Comment