Donald Trump’s off-mic comment showed his true feelings towards King Charles. The US President has been in the United Kingdom as part of a state visit with First Lady Melania Trump.
The couple have been hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle. It makes Trump the first US President to be invited on two state visits to the UK. As part of the trip, the Trumps attended a state banquet alongside senior members of the Royal Family at St George’s Hall. Ahead of the speeches, Mr Trump, 79, was seen seated next to the King as the pair chatted away.
According to lip-reader Jeremy Freeman, one moment between the pair off-mic showed Trump’s admiration for the 76-year-old monarch. The Republican was spotted turning to the King and saying: “It’s so incredible, it’s what you do so well.”
At the banquet, Mr Trump described being welcomed for a second state visit as the “highest honour” of his life. He also joked that he hopes it is the “last” time he is welcomed for the official tour.
The president also addressed the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom. He said that the phrase “special relationship” “does not begin to do it justice”.
Mr Trump explained the two nations share a wealth of culture including language, tradition, and ancestry. The businessman himself even has roots in the United Kingdom, with his mother, Mary Trump, born in Scotland.
It is Mary who is said to have sparked Mr Trump’s passion for the Royal Family. She is said to have kept a scrapbook containing pictures of the late Queen Elizabeth II and her sister, Princess Margaret.
During his visit Mr Trump has spoken highly of the royals, in particular Prince William who he described as a “good guy” and “remarkable”.
He said: “I just want to say that His Majesty has raised a remarkable son and his Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, [is] really amazing, and I’ve gotten to know you and I think you’re going to have unbelievable success in the future.”
Mr Trump also praised the King for the amount of effort he puts into getting to know people at events. He added: “I just stood in line and shook about 150 hands and the King knew every single person and every single company, I was very impressed with that.”
After the pomp and pageantry of Windsor Castle yesterday, Mr Trump will be shifting his attention to politics today. He will travel to Chequers – the Prime Minister’s country retreat – to meet Sir Keir Starmer where they will hold a private meeting.
This will be followed by a joint press conference and a business reception with Chancellor Rachel Reeves. He will then reunite with Melania, who will be staying at Windsor, to return to Washington DC on Air Force One.
