King Charles and Queen Camilla have shared a heartfelt farewell message to the people of the United States following their first state visit as monarchs, thanking the nation for the "warmth of your welcome" – as President Donald Trump moved to lift tariffs on Scottish whisky.
Royal Farewell Message
The King and Queen declared they are leaving a piece of their heart in America, in a message posted on social media. Their four-day state visit to the US concluded on Thursday with an overwhelmingly warm reception from President Trump, who announced the removal of tariffs on Scotch whisky shortly after the couple's departure.
In their message, the couple wrote: "Farewell and thank you for the warmth of your welcome and the kind support you gave us throughout our first visit to the US as King and Queen, in this, your special anniversary year. We leave a piece of our (heart emoji) behind and take a little of yours back home with us. Until the next time... God Bless America."
The post featured a new photograph of the royal couple taken at Blair House, the president's official guest house opposite the White House, where they stayed during their visit. Charles and Camilla were captured gazing lovingly at one another in the Jackson Place sitting room. A further image showed the glittering Manhattan skyline, complete with the Statue of Liberty and an illuminated Empire State Building.
Tariff Decision
President Trump revealed that it was Charles and Camilla's personal intervention that led to the decision to scrap the tariffs on Scottish whisky, announced shortly after the couple bid their farewells. Mark Kent, chief executive of the Scottish Distillers Association, said "distillers can breathe a little easier" following the announcement. The development is set to vindicate Downing Street's decision to send the King on a trip, viewed by some as highly risky, to repair the UK-US special relationship.
Mr Trump declared in a social media post that while "people have wanted to do this for a long time," the King and Queen "got me to do something that nobody else was able to do."
Buckingham Palace Response
In response, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: "The King has been informed of President Trump's warm gesture and sends his sincere gratitude for a decision that will make an important difference to the British whisky industry and the livelihoods it supports. His Majesty will be raising a dram to the president's thoughtfulness and generous hospitality as he departs the US after a most enjoyable state visit for both their majesties in this special anniversary year."
Bermuda Visit
Following the conclusion of the US visit, the King flew out to Bermuda for a solo tour. Touching down at LF Wade International Airport at dusk, the UK Government's VIP Airbus aircraft flew both the Royal Standard and the Bermuda flag from the cockpit window. Charles was met by Governor of Bermuda Andrew Murdoch and Premier of Bermuda David Burt, accompanied by his wife Kristin, with a modest guard of honour from the Royal Bermuda Regiment standing smartly to attention nearby. The welcome was deliberately understated, as the King is set to receive a full ceremonial reception complete with pomp, pageantry and a 21-gun salute on Friday.
