US President Donald Trump has described his second state visit to the UK as one of the "highest honours of my life" in a speech to a banquet held at Windsor Castle.
President Donald Trump relished the glow of a British royal spectacle Thursday, greeted at Windsor Castle on his state visit by King Charles III, military honour guards, mounted troops, and a visit to Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb.
King Charles and Trump walked side by side to enter St George’s Hall, where the banquet was held. They were followed by Queen Camilla and Melania Trump.
In his speech at the dinner, the King marvelled at the shared history of the two nations and their strong relationship, which 250 years ago, at the time of America’s founding, would have been unimaginable to George Washington and King George.
“We celebrate the relationship between the two countries that surely neither old George could possibly have imagined,” he said.
The King touched on Trump’s British roots, his recent visits to the UK and in a nod to the president’s favourite sport, said, “I understand that British soil makes for rather splendid golf courses”.
He celebrated the longstanding defence and security alliance between the US and Britain while highlighting the threat posed by Russian aggression in Ukraine.
“In two World Wars, we fought together to defeat the forces of tyranny,” Charles said at Windsor Castle, west of London. “Today, as tyranny once again threatens Europe, we and our allies stand together in support of Ukraine.”
The speech, on the first day of the President’s state visit to the UK, comes amid concern that Trump isn’t doing enough to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate a peace deal in Ukraine.
But Charles lauded Trump’s work as a peacemaker.
“Our countries are working together in support of crucial diplomatic efforts, no 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.”
The President was impressed at King Charles’ ability to know the names of, in Trump’s estimation, about 150 people they shook hands with.
“And some of them had bad names like X,Y, Z, dash two-three,” Trump quipped. “And he knew every one of them. Or at least I think I did, because nobody was complaining.”
He also praised Prince William as “remarkable” and “amazing” and Princess Kate, “so radiant and so healthy, so beautiful”.
The President appeared to be alluding to her cancer diagnosis. The Princess said earlier this year that her cancer is in remission.
He joked in his remarks before at the start of the lavish state dinner that he hopes no other American president is so honoured again.
“This is truly one of the highest honours of my life,” Trump said.
No US president, or any other world leader, has ever had the honour of a second UK state visit.
Among those invited to the banquet were technology CEOs Tim Cook of Apple, Demis Hassabis of Google DeepMind and Sam Altman of OpenAI. Pascal Soriot, who heads drugmaker Astrazeneca, the most valuable company on the London Stock Exchange, was also in attendance.
In a nod to Trump’s love of golf, English golfer Nick Faldo, winner of six major championships, including three Masters’ titles, was also present.
The King sat next to Trump at the centre of the 50-metre-long table in St George’s Hall, where the ceiling is adorned with the coat of arms of every Knight of the Garter since the order was founded in 1348. Catherine was seated to the President’s right.
On the other side of the table, Queen Camilla was seated next to First Lady Melania Trump and Treasury chief Scott Bessent. Media mogul Rupert Murdoch also had a seat at the table.
The pomp and pageantry are deliberate, meant to bolster ties with Trump at a time when his America First policies are putting pressure on trade and security arrangements around the globe. For the grandeur-loving President, festivities involved 120 horses and 1300 troops — including the largest guard of honour in living memory.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including an injury blow for the Black Ferns, the main suspect in Madeleine McCann’s disappearance is out of jail, and self driving cars are here. (Source: 1News)
SHARE ME