US president says his late mother had a crush on the ‘cute’ monarch in his youth
Mr Trump spoke passionately about the bonds between the two nations as he staged a ceremonial military welcome for Charles and Queen Camilla at the White House.
Despite the recent tensions between the UK and US, Mr Trump, speaking from a podium on the South Lawn on the second day of the king’s historic state visit, said: “In the centuries since we won our independence, Americans have had no closer friends than the British.”
And he paid tribute to the “essence” of the “special relationship” in the wake of World War II, saying: “That understanding of our nation’s unique bond and role in history is the essence of our special relationship and we hope it will always remain that way.”
Charles’s most diplomatically sensitive state visit to date comes amid a backdrop of criticism levelled by Mr Trump at British prime minister Keir Starmer over the war in Iran.
British prime minister Keir Starmer
Officials in Downing Street will be hoping the royal family’s soft-power diplomacy can help heal the rift, and Mr Trump demonstrated his affection for the king during the formal welcome.
She really did love the family but I also remember her saying very clearly, ‘Charles, look young Charles, he’s so cute’
He said it was a “tremendous privilege to host” Charles and Camilla, called the king a “very elegant man”, praised the late Queen Elizabeth II as a “very special woman” and revealed his mother, Mary, had a “crush” on the king when he was younger.
“She really did love the family but I also remember her saying very clearly, ‘Charles, look young Charles, he’s so cute’,” Mr Trump said.
.jpg)
US president Donald Trump salutes next to Britain’s King Charles during an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House yesterday. Photo: Reuters
Today’s News in 90 Seconds – Wednesday, April 29
“My mother had a crush on Charles – can you believe it? Amazing how… I wonder what she’s thinking right now.”
The president and US first lady Melania Trump staged an unprecedented military ceremony for their royal guests.
Charles and Camilla watched the display in Washington DC with their hosts, alongside a group of invited dignitaries and hundreds of spectators.
The royal couple arrived in Washington on Monday for the start of a four-day state visit to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Later the king will tell Congress the story of the UK and US since America’s independence is “one of the greatest alliances in human history” where the two nations find ways to “come together”.
Charles and Camilla are greeted by Donald and Melania Trump at the White House. Photo: PA
Mr Trump said he wanted to watch the monarch’s address in the Capitol in person, but had been warned it was not “protocol”.
“I’m going to be watching. I was thinking of going, but they said, ‘I don’t know, that might be a step too far’,” he said.
“I would love to go. It’s not supposed to be protocol, but I would love to be with you,” he told Charles.
Mr Trump, who has criticised Mr Starmer as being “no Winston Churchill” over the UK’s response to US calls for support in the Iran conflict, repeatedly referred to wartime leader Churchill in his speech, calling him “Britain’s greatest prime minister”.
He added: “Beneath those beautiful flags, eight decades ago, prime minister Winston Churchill and president Franklin Roosevelt famously met on a ship in the North Atlantic to outline a vision for the free world after World War II.
They’re incredible people and it’s a real honour
“That understanding of our nations’ unique bond and role in history is the essence of our special relationship and we hope it will always remain that way.”
He also spoke of the two countries’ shared values and close friendship, saying: “In the centuries since we won our independence, Americans have had no closer friends than the British. We share that same root. We speak the same language. We hold the same values and, together, our warriors have defended the same extraordinary civilisation under twin banners of red, white and blue.”
Former British prime minister Winston Churchill got a mention
He called the UK and the US the “two most exceptional nations the world has ever known”, adding: “Together, let us go forward with even stronger resolve to carry on our sacred devotion to liberty and to the traditions of excellence that have been our shared gift of all mankind.”
During the welcome ceremony, the king and queen stood on a dais with the president and first lady as the UK and US national anthems were played by the President’s Own United States Marine Band. Nearby, a 21-gun salute was fired in tribute to the royal guests by the Presidential Salute Battery.
Senior members of Mr Trump’s administration were among the guests, including vice-president JD Vance and his wife, Usha, secretary of state Marco Rubio, war secretary Pete Hegseth and special peace envoy Steve Witkoff.
Later, the king and president sat down for bilateral talks, and after the meeting, Mr Trump told the press: “It was a really good meeting. He’s a fantastic person. They’re incredible people and it’s a real honour.”