King Charles and Donald Trump praised each other in their banquet speeches. British sovereign spoke about the need to support Ukraine

The US President Donald Trump welcomed the special relationship between his country and the United Kingdom, bringing an enthusiastic tribute to King Charles during the second state visit in the kingdom, a premiere that he named one of the greatest honors in his life.

And if King Charles-usually apolitical-mentioned in his speech the need to support Ukraine, the head of the white house had nothing to say in this regard and preferred to read his prepared speech, although it is known to be a great amateur of spontaneity. Instead, the first-lady Melania Trump made an inspired dress choice, probably not accidental, but coordinated-her dress was simple, yellow, while Queen Camilla's dress was blue, so in the photos they appeared together, the two ladies rendered the colors of the flag.

It was a day of unprecedented fast for a foreign leader. Trump and his wife, Melania, were treated with all the British pump.

Then, in the speech from the banquet, the president praised the near ally of his country, emphasizing the special relationship that binds them. “The connection of kinship and identity between America and the United Kingdom is invaluable and eternal. It is irreplaceable and undeniable,” Trump said in the speech during the lavish banquet at Windsor Castle, the residence of the family of the British monarchs for almost 1,000 years.

Referring to the so-called special relationship between the two countries, Trump said: “From the American perspective, the special word is not enough to describe it.”

Trump's speech fell well in the ears of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He proposed a state visit to win Trump's favors, a well -known Anglofil and a declared fan of the Royal Family, shortly after the US president returned to January. Starmer hopes that this visit will help his government in his efforts to deepen economic ties, to provide billions of dollars, to reduce tariffs and to allow you to pressure on the American president in terms of Ukraine and Israel.

The UK has spread the royal red carpet, giving Trump the largest welcome military ceremony for a state visit in recent history. Trump did not hide his joy of being not only the first American leader, but also the first chosen politician who was invited to two state visits to the UK. “It is truly one of the biggest honors in my life,” he said.

During the visit, London hopes to turn Trump's affection for the UK – his mother was from Scotland – and admiration for the royal family into concrete actions. Companies such as Microsoft, Nvidia, Google and Openai have already promised British investments worth £ 31 billion ($ 42 billion) in the coming years, in the field of artificial intelligence, quantum calculation and civil nuclear energy.

Starmer also wants additional progress in the field of trade, after the UK has concluded the first agreement with Trump to reduce some rates. The discussions could target the remaining taxes for steel, whiskey and salmon.

“The United Kingdom was your partner in the first commercial agreement of your administration, Mr. President, bringing jobs and economic growth for both countries,” the king said in his speech. “And, without a doubt, we can go further as we build this new era of our partnership,” added the sovereign, seeming to have learned the two levers that usually work in the case of Trump-the praises and economic incentives.

Where there are problems

But while Starmer relies on the royal family to convince the president, there are still obstacles. Surveys show that Trump is very unpopular in the UK, and Starmer, who is facing a drastic decrease in his popularity and economic problems, will have to prove that his royal asset can bring benefits, writes Reuters. Although many Trump's supporters were in the crowd in Windsor, several thousand people marched through London to organize a protest against the state visit.

“I simply do not like anything Trump represents and its administration worldwide,” said a pensioner.

Uncomfortable questions about the late sexual offender Jeffrey Epstein could also arise. Last week, Starmer at Demis on Peter Mandelson as the UK ambassador to Washington because of his Epstein's links. This could embarrass both the prime minister and Trump, whose relationship with the financier is debated in the US. Among the guests at the Banquet on Wednesday, Rupert Murdoch, whose Wall Street Journal is currently sued by the president in a slander of $ 10 billion, for an article that connects Epstein president.

While a massive security operation was carried out in Windsor, the police said four people were arrested on Tuesday after Trump images with Epstein were designed on one of the castle towers. Trump wasn't there at that time.

The Times also reported that the UK will announce the recognition of the Palestinian state after Trump's departure. The United States opposes this measure, which could be a thorny problem in the discussions between the two parties.

Trump, amazed by the royal show

While on Thursday the attention will turn to geopolitics and trade, when Starmer will host Trump at his residence at Chequers, Wednesday was a day dedicated to the ceremony.

Donald and Melania Trump joined Charles, his wife, Queen Camilla, and other members of the royal family and dignitaries for a carriage procession, on the route of 1,300 British soldiers.

Later, the Trump family watched historical objects in the Royal Collection related to the US, then visited St. Chapel. George, the place of eternal rest of Queen Elizabeth, who invited Trump on her first state visit, in 2019, to lay a crown of flowers at her tomb. The sovereign died in September 2022.

Then followed another military parade and a Survo of the British Air Acrobatia Red Arrows, but the unfavorable weather prevented the participation of British and US military aircraft, a symbol of bilateral defense collaboration.

The Trump family also found time for a private meeting with the king's eldest son, Prince William, and his wife, Kate, a meeting that was described by the prince's spokesman as “warm and friendly.” Trump later praised Kate's “beautiful” and said that William “will have incredible success in the future.”

As for Charles, the 76-year-old monarch, this is a “very, very special man,” said the US president.

Trump was wonderful about the architecture of the castle and complimented Prince William as a “remarkable son.” And he alluded to the recovery of Catherine, the princess of Wales, after the treatment against cancer, saying she is “so radiant and so healthy.”

Speeches

As usual, with an “overall image” type speech, the king mainly emphasized the common history and culture between the United Kingdom and the US, also respecting what he had on paper and adopting a remarkably respectful and serious tone.

The only causes that the king mentioned explicitly were the need to support Ukraine, to strengthen commercial relations and to protect the environment.

He praised Trump's efforts to find solutions to conflicts around the world, and the US president, in turn, praised and thanked Charles for the second historical state visit.
“While tyranny threatens Europe again, we and our allies are together in support of Ukraine to discourage aggression and ensure peace,” said Charles, without mentioning Russia. Charles also praised “the personal commitment of US President Donald Trump to find solutions to some of the most difficult conflicts in the world to ensure peace.”

Some of Trump's short remarks were characteristic – he praised himself – but for the most part, he stressed the close connection between the two countries.

Donald Trump has stressed that he is the only US president who has made two state visits to this country-the previous one in 2019. “It is truly one of the greatest honors in my life,” he said in front of King Charles III and about 160 guests.

Located with King Charles III in the dining room of the Windsor Castle, Trump praised the royal family and satisfied for the invitation to the United Kingdom, joking at one point that he hopes to be for a period of time the last president to whom two state visits are given. “It's a unique privilege,” Trump said.

In his short speech, the president also emphasized the connection between the US and the United Kingdom, and, although he was largely away from partisan policy, Trump returned to one of his favorite praises, calling the US “the hottest country.”

“I had a very sick country a year ago,” he said. “Today, I think we are the hottest country in the world,” Trump said.

The dress choice of Melania Trump

The clothing choices of the first-two Melania Trump have gone a wide range on Wednesday-from a hat meant to distract, which somehow remembered the one worn at her husband, in January, to a bright yellow dress, worn at the banquet, which emphasized her.

When he arrived on Wednesday at the Windsor Castle, the first lady wore a dark-colored dior suit and a wide, dark purple hat. The hat blocked the visibility of a large part of his face, reminiscent of her look on the day of the investment, which was very business.

But the tone changed decisively in the evening, when she entered the center of attention in a Carolina Herrera dress with long sleeves and a wide strap on the waist, pale pink, personalized, without shoulders.

A spokesman for the first prosecutor did not respond to CNN's request to comment, but a white house official previously said that Melania Trump spent months planning her outfits for the state visit, especially at the state banquet. Especially at the events where the VIPs will be seen and not heard, the message they convey by choosing their wardrobe is a significant one, and these details are often communicated in advance through diplomatic channels, writes CNN.

“I was quite direct, I called and said: 'Wears blue today (Queen Camilla – no)? And what blue is it?' And then we wear blue if she wears blue heaven?

This is why Queen Camilla appeared in blue, and Melania Trump came dressed in yellow (close to the complementary one). By chance – or not – the two ladies were dressed in the colors of the flag of Ukraine. Melania Trump, born in Slovenia, in the former Soviet influence space, is known as a supporter of the cause of Ukraine. She told Vladimir Putin through her husband, when they met in Alaska, a letter that pleaded the cause of Ukrainian children.

Regarding the outfit of the third lady who attracted the eyes of the curious on the banquet, Princess Kate, she had a special glow, without spacing. He wore Tiara Lover's Knot and earrings that belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II. The princess of Wales wore a golden chantilly lace evening dress, handmade, over a silk crepe dress. The ensemble was a creation of British designer Phillipa Lepley.