As King Charles III and Queen Camilla made their grand entrance at the White House on Monday, President Trump swiftly shifted the conversation to the recent shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, as well as Russian President Vladimir Putin. This marked the beginning of the royal couple’s historic state visit to the United States.
During their initial greetings on the South Lawn, Trump reportedly referenced the shooting, saying, “This shooting …” according to lip reader Nicola Hickling, as reported by the Daily Mail.
In response, King Charles is said to have replied with a touch of humor, “I’d rather not stand about here too long,” adding, “I feel I shouldn’t be here.”
President Trump, concerned for the monarch’s comfort, asked if he was alright before acknowledging, “It’s not a good thing,” as per Hickling’s interpretation.
Trump went on to assure, “I wasn’t prepared, but now I am prepared,” before the conversation veered towards the topic of the Russian leader.
“I wasn’t prepared, but now I am prepared,” the commander-in-chief continued before turning to the Russian tyrant.
“So right now, I am talking to Putin,” the president told the king. “He wants war.”
Charles, in Hickling’s account, tried to shut the matter down, saying: “We will discuss that later.”
Trump pressed the topic – warning: “I’ve got a feeling … if he did what he said, he will wipe out the population.”
“Another time,” Charles repeated before the conversation shifted to Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom project.
“You can see right through there,” Trump said. “Right the way through to the ballroom. Would you like to see?’
“I’m sure you’ll show us,” Charles said, prompting Trump to respond: “That’s right, you’re right.”
The first couple then invited the royals into the White House after Charles asked: “Which way do we go?”
“We’re going this way,” Trump said, indicating the executive mansion.
The couples enjoyed a traditional English afternoon tea – complete with tiny sandwiches, mini-cakes and loose-leaf tea poured through a strainer.
After departing the White House, the king and queen attended a massive garden party at the British ambassador’s residence.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) were among the high-profile politicians in attendance.
British Olympic diver Tom Daley jetted in from Los Angeles for the bash and bonded with the king over knitting.
“Knitting is my outlet for all my creativity, my mindfulness and my meditation and the King has tried knitting many a time,” Daley told Britiain’s Press Association.
“He said he tried knitting when he was eight and he wasn’t very good but he said he might pick it back up – he knows it’s very good for mental health.
“But I want to try and get it back into the school curriculum and maybe he can help me do that.”
The royal couple is embarking on a four-day state visit to America, the highlights of which include the king’s address to a joint meeting of Congress on Tuesday followed by a White House state dinner.
Charles and Camilla are also due to visit the 9/11 Memorial in Lower Manhattan Wednesday.
