King Charles praised President Donald Trump’s “personal commitment to finding solutions to some of the world’s most intractable conflicts” during a state banquet at Windsor Castle, while urging American support for Ukraine in its fight against “tyranny.”
In his speech to 160 guests, the monarch emphasized the enduring ties between the United Kingdom and the United States, citing shared sacrifices in war and the importance of cultural, economic and military cooperation. “Our people have fought and died together for the values we hold dear,” the King said.
President Trump responded by lauding the bond between Washington and London. He said the phrase “special relationship” did not fully capture the closeness of the alliance. The president also praised Prince William as an “unbelievable success in the future” and called the Princess of Wales “radiant and so healthy and so beautiful.”
The banquet capped a day of ceremony and politics that began with the president and First Lady Melania Trump arriving in ornate carriages at Windsor’s quadrangle, where they were greeted by the King, Queen Camilla and senior royals. The couple inspected troops before holding a private meeting with the Prince and Princess of Wales, described as “warm and friendly.”
The evening included lighthearted exchanges between the King and the president, with Charles joking about a soldier’s sword during the parade. Trump expressed admiration for St George’s Chapel and historic documents on American independence, describing them as “the real deal.” He also laid a wreath at Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb, paying tribute to the late monarch.
The event reflected both tradition and diplomacy. Among the attendees were business leaders such as Apple’s Tim Cook and OpenAI’s Sam Altman. Gifts were exchanged, including the flag that flew over Buckingham Palace on Trump’s inauguration day in January 2025. Guests dined on Norfolk organic chicken while discussing investment announcements totaling £150 billion, including £22 billion from Microsoft.
Beyond the royal pageantry, the state visit carried political weight. The UK government assembled the largest guard of honor ever for a state visit, with 1,300 service members from the Army, Navy and Air Force, sending a message of unity on NATO and Ukraine. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer later joined Trump to watch a Red Arrows flypast, though poor weather grounded F-35 jets.
The visit continues with political talks and a joint press conference at Chequers, the prime minister’s country residence. Queen Camilla and the Princess of Wales are also expected to join First Lady Melania Trump for events on Thursday.
While Trump described the state visit as one of the “highest honours” of his life, protests were staged in London and Windsor. The anti-monarchy group Republic called for greater democratic accountability, with chief executive Graham Smith saying: “It’s time to fix our democracy and defend the country from those who might want to undermine what democratic rights we have, whether that be Charles or Trump.”
Related Readings
