Once again, the world was treated to the opulence of British royal family as President Trump and the first lady, Melania Trump, paid an official state visit as the guests of the King and Queen of Britain. The Windsor Castle was the arrival grounds for the American delegation as they were greeted by the Prince and Princess of Wales who later accompanied them to meet the King and the Queen. The monarch of Britain and the leader of the free world then sat in the State Coach in a carriage procession through the Windsor estate, towards the castle.
King Charles had lunch with his guests in the state dining room, following which he led them to view a special display of items from the Royal Collection relating to the United States of America, in the Green Drawing Room. President Trump’s tour of the King Charles realm also took him to St. George’s Chapel where he privately laid a wreath on the Tomb of Queen Elizabeth II. The President and First Lady were then given a short tour of the chapel and heard a musical performance from the chapel choir.
However, it was the evening segment of the tour that stole the spotlight of the entire state visit. The King hosted a State Banquet in St George’s Hall for The President and First Lady, with several luminaries in attendance as guests. The guest list featured individuals like William, the Prince of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Paula Reynolds, chairwoman of National Grid, the British energy company, Princess Anne, the king’s sister, and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, Jensen Huang, head of Nvidia, and Lori Huang, James Blair, White House deputy chief of staff, Tim Cook, chief executive of Apple, Charles Woodburn, chief executive of BAE systems, British aerospace company, Christopher Ruddy, chief executive of Newsmax, Sam Altman, chief of OpenAI, Satya Nadella, chief of Microsoft, Stephen Schwarzman, chief of Blackstone, Brian Moynihan, chief executive of Bank of America, Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Lady Victoria Starmer, and many other power brokers.
The British Royal Family evidently spared no expense to throw such a lavish state dinner. The Windsor Hall’s grand banquet table was 155 feet long for a total of 160 guests, with each guest’s place denoted by a name plate. The menu began with a Hampshire watercress panna cotta, served with parmesan shortbread and quail egg salad. The main course was an organic Norfolk chicken ballotine wrapped in courgettes, with a thyme and savory-infused jus. For dessert, guests were to be served a vanilla ice cream bombe with Kentish raspberry sorbet interior and lightly poached Victoria plums.
Mr. Trump’s teetotaler status regardless, the dinner rolled out a lush wine list, featuring a 1945 vintage port to honor his first term as the 45th American president, and a 1912 cognac Grande Champagne, to mark his mother’s birth year.
The banquet also featured an elaborate cocktail invented for the dinner — a “Transatlantic Whisky Sour” that blended Johnnie Walker Black scotch with marmalade and was topped with a pecan foam and a toasted marshmallow on a star-shaped biscuit.
Both President Trump and King Charles took turns to give a toast that emphasize the deep and enduring bond between the two nations, founded on deep friendship and shared values that have made both countries safer and stronger across generations.
“Our countries have the closest defense, security and intelligence relationship ever known. 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.” King Charles said.
The Royal Family Channel)
President Trump praises King Charles for his dedication to preserving Britain’s heritage, environment, and care for the people, recounting his personal impressions of the King’s engagement with citizens. He also commends Prince William and Princess Katherine, sharing admiration for the royal family’s contributions and legacy. He then offers a heartfelt toast to King Charles and the UK-US friendship.
“Together we’ve done more good for humanity than any two countries in all of history”, Trump said. He also added that both countries should “continue to stand for the values and the people of the English-speaking world.”