WINDSOR, UK — King Charles III used a state banquet at Windsor Castle to commend US President Donald Trump’s “personal commitment to finding solutions to some of the world’s most intractable conflicts,” while urging continued American support for Ukraine in the face of “tyranny.”
Speaking before 160 guests in the castle’s historic St George’s Hall, the King emphasised the enduring “special relationship” between the United States and the United Kingdom, rooted in shared sacrifice, culture, trade, and military ties.
“Our people have fought and died together for the values we hold dear,” the King said, adding that transatlantic unity remained essential in addressing global challenges from conflict to climate change.
President Trump, on his second state visit to Britain, responded with warm praise for the alliance, declaring: “The word ‘special’ does not begin to do it justice.”
He also hailed Prince William as an “unbelievable success in the future” and described the Princess of Wales as “radiant, healthy and beautiful.”
Pageantry and Diplomacy
The banquet capped a day of elaborate ceremony and soft-power diplomacy designed to charm the president.
Trump and First Lady Melania arrived by horse-drawn carriage, inspected a guard of honour of 1,300 service personnel — the largest ever assembled for a state visit — and joined Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to watch a Red Arrows flypast.
Behind the spectacle lay a strategic message: Britain is keen to secure US backing for NATO and ongoing support for Ukraine.
The King also stressed the importance of environmental protection, urging leaders to seize a “precious opportunity to safeguard and restore the wonders of nature for future generations.”
Trump appeared visibly moved during a private wreath-laying at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II, whom he has long admired.
He also toured St George’s Chapel and viewed historic Royal Collection documents related to US independence, remarking, “The real deal.”
Business and Politics
The event drew a mix of royals, political leaders, and business heavyweights, including Apple CEO Tim Cook and OpenAI’s Sam Altman, reflecting the economic dimension of the visit.
More than £150 billion in US investment in the UK was announced alongside the state visit, including £22 billion from Microsoft.
Gifts exchanged included the Buckingham Palace flag that flew on the day of Trump’s inauguration in January 2025.
Guests dined on Norfolk organic chicken, with media mogul Rupert Murdoch seated near the prime minister’s adviser Morgan McSweeney.
The visit now shifts from pageantry to politics, with Trump scheduled to hold talks and a joint press conference with Starmer at Chequers on Thursday.
Protests on the Sidelines
While the carefully choreographed programme unfolded behind Windsor’s walls, protests against Trump and the monarchy were staged in London and Windsor.
The anti-monarchy group Republic called the visit a distraction from what it described as urgent democratic reforms.
For Trump, however, the royal welcome appeared to have hit its mark. He called the trip “one of the highest honours of my life.”
