President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania were thrilled to welcome King Charles and Queen Camilla this week.
Their enthusiasm was apparent, from the warm reception at the White House to the unusually effusive speech President Trump delivered on Tuesday.
While used to compliments, King Charles seemed mildly uncomfortable when Trump mentioned that his late mother, Mary, had a ‘fondness for a young Prince Charles’ and found him ‘adorable’.
The royal guests were honored with a grand military ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, accompanied by a performance from over 200 musicians.
This splendid event represents the highest diplomatic tribute America can offer a visiting head of state.
In his speech, Trump celebrated the ‘strongest and deepest ties’ connecting Britain and the US, noting it was particularly appropriate for the British monarch to visit Washington during the 250th anniversary of America’s independence from Great Britain.
‘Here in the shadows of monuments to George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, honouring the British King might seem an ironic beginning to our celebration of 250 years of American Independence,’ he said. ‘In fact, no tribute could be more appropriate.
‘Before we ever proclaimed our independence, Americans carried within us the rarest of gifts: moral courage. And it came from a small but mighty kingdom from across the sea.
It is clear that President Donald Trump loved hosting King Charles this week, based on the warmth of their greeting at the White House, writes Richard Eden
Trump said ‘honouring the British King might seem an ironic beginning to our celebration of 250 years of American Independence’ but added ‘no tribute could be more appropriate’
‘The American patriots who pledged their lives to independence in 1776 were the heirs to this majestic inheritance. Their veins rang with English faith in standing firm for what was right, good and true.’
These were inspiring words to hear from a US president who sounded prouder of our English heritage than some British politicians.
Hi! I’m Richard Eden, Diary Editor and author of the Palace Confidential newsletter.
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Yet, the greatest honour accorded to the King was perhaps the opportunity to make a joint address to the two houses of Congress. When I went on a tour of the Capitol building before their Majesties arrived, our guide was keen to stress how unusual such an invitation was.
Only 47 foreign leaders have addressed a joint meeting of the Congress before this week. The King’s mother, Queen Elizabeth II, was the only previous British monarch accorded this honour.
The King used the address to make a surprisingly political speech, stating, for example, that executive power must be subject to checks and balances. He stood up for Nato, despite Trump’s sharp criticisms of the Alliance, begged for Ukraine to be protected and highlighted the importance of the environment.
It is striking how closely aligned Charles was with his younger son, the Duke of Sussex, who had expressed very similar views during a visit to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, last week.
I can disclose that both the King and Prince Harry had received advice from Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary, before their respective trips.
It is all the more interesting given that Cooper is among those backing the duke’s planned return to public life in Britain – or Project Thaw, as his supporters call it.
As I predicted last week, the King has chosen not to meet Harry and Meghan during his three-day tour.
This will hardly have disappointed Trump, who is no great admirer of the California-based couple.
The King chose not to meet Harry, seen speaking in Ukraine last week, during his tour in the US
The First Lady’s enthusiasm for the Princess of Wales to visit is shared by many Americans – they are respectful of the King and Queen, but more excited about William and Catherine
During my stay here, I learned of an interesting comment he made to a British visitor when the conversation turned to Harry: ‘Can you take him back?’ asked Trump.
Harry’s brother is another matter, of course. While the president has been delighted to host the King and Queen, he would be even more pleased were the Prince and Princess of Wales to visit the White House.
Indeed, I can reveal that the Trumps have now invited Prince William and Catherine to travel to America.
‘Melania wants Catherine, in particular, to come,’ says a US source. ‘She admires her greatly and would love her to visit.’
The First Lady’s enthusiasm is shared by many of the Americans I spoke in the past few days. While they are respectful of the King and Queen, they are more excited about William and Catherine.
And when it comes to a visit, what better timing could there be than July 4 – and the biggest Independence Day celebrations in 250 years?
