US President Donald Trump has praised the “special relationship” between America and the UK, telling King Charles III “we hope it will always remain that way”. The American leader spoke passionately about the bonds between the two nations as he staged a ceremonial military welcome for the King and Queen Camilla at the White House.
Despite recent tensions between the UK and US, Mr Trump, speaking from a podium on the South Lawn on the second day of the King’s historic state visit, declared: “In the centuries since we won our independence, Americans have had no closer friends than the British.” He paid tribute to the “essence” of the special relationship in the wake of the Second World War, saying: “That understanding of our nation’s unique bond and role in history is the essence of our special relationship and we hope it will always remain that way.”
Diplomatic Context
Charles’s most diplomatically sensitive state visit to date comes amid criticism levelled by Mr Trump at Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer over the war in Iran. Officials in Downing Street hope the royal family’s soft power diplomacy can help heal the rift. Mr Trump demonstrated his affection for the King during the formal welcome, calling him a “very elegant man”, praising the late Queen Elizabeth II as a “very special woman”, and revealing his mother, Mary, had a “crush” on the King when he was younger.
“She really did love the family but I also remember her saying very clearly, ‘Charles, look young Charles, he’s so cute’,” Mr Trump said. “My mother had a crush on Charles – can you believe it? Amazing how… I wonder what she’s thinking right now?”
Ceremonial Welcome
The president and First Lady Melania Trump staged an unprecedented military ceremony for their royal guests. Charles and Camilla watched the display in Washington DC alongside invited dignitaries and hundreds of spectators. The royal couple arrived on Monday for a four-day state visit celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Later, the King will tell Congress the story of the UK and US since America’s independence is “one of the greatest alliances in human history” where the two nations find ways to “come together”. Mr Trump said he wanted to watch the monarch’s address in person but was warned it was not “protocol”. “I was thinking of going, but they said ‘I don’t know, that might be a step too far’,” he said. “I would love to go. It’s not supposed to be protocol, but I would love to be with you,” he told Charles.
Shared Values and History
Mr Trump, who has criticised Sir Keir for being “no Winston Churchill” over the UK’s response to US calls for support in the Iran conflict, repeatedly referred to the wartime leader in his speech, calling him “Britain’s greatest prime minister”. He added: “Beneath those beautiful flags, eight decades ago, Prime Minister Winston Churchill and President Franklin Roosevelt famously met on a ship in the North Atlantic to outline a vision for the free world after World War Two. That understanding of our nations’ unique bond and role in history is the essence of our special relationship and we hope it will always remain that way.”
He spoke of shared values and close friendship, saying: “We share that same root. We speak the same language. We hold the same values and, together, our warriors have defended the same extraordinary civilisation under twin banners of red, white and blue.” He called the UK and US the “two most exceptional nations the world has ever known”, adding: “Together, let us go forward with even stronger resolve to carry on our sacred devotion to liberty and to the traditions of excellence that have been our shared gift to all mankind.”
Military Pageantry
During the welcome ceremony, the King and Queen stood on a dais with the president and first lady as the UK and US national anthems were played by The President’s Own United States Marine Band. Nearby, a 21-gun salute was fired by the Presidential Salute Battery. Senior members of Mr Trump’s administration were among the guests, including Vice-President JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and Steve Witkoff, special envoy for peace missions.
A large number of military units took part, from the United States Marine Corps Honour Guard to, for the first time at a White House event, the United States Space Force Honour Guard. Rainy weather eased shortly before the royal party arrived, and presidential staff rushed to wipe the chairs waiting for the King, Queen and the Trumps. Mr Trump remarked: “Thank you very much everybody. What a beautiful British day this is.” Before the event began, crowds were entertained by precision marching and playing by the Drum and Bugle Corps, including the United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps and the US Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps.
