King Charles joked how ‘royal-obsessed’ President Richard Nixon tried to arrange a wedding between him and his daughter.
On Wednesday, during the State Banquet where the Royal Family hosted Donald Trump at Windsor Castle, his Majesty gave a warm and witty speech.
In contemplating the ‘unmatched alliance’ between the United States and the United Kingdom, and describing the nations as the ‘closest of kin’, his Majesty humorously mentioned a visit from the former Republican leader, Richard Nixon, during the 1970s.
Retelling of how Nixon was ‘obsessed’ with the British Royal Family, the King revealed the then-President tried to arrange a marriage between him and his daughter, Tricia.
‘Had the media succeeded in the 1970s in their own attempt at deepening the special relationship, I might have been married off within the Nixon family!’ he joked.
Beforehand, the King warmly welcomed the Trumps to Windsor Castle, highlighting the two countries’ ‘enduring bond’, ‘anchored by a deep friendship’.
‘This unique and important occasion reflects the enduring bond between out two great nations,’ King Charles told the banquet.
‘Anchored by the deep friendship between our people, this relationship which, with good reason, we are our predecessors have long called “special”, has made us safer and stronger through the generations.
TRUMP UK Double
King Charles III joked how he was almost a royal ‘obsessed’ President Richard Nixon tried to arrange a wedding between him and his daughter in Wednesday’s banquet speech (pictured)
On Wednesday, during the State Banquet where the Royal Family hosted Donald Trump at Windsor Castle, his Majesty gave a warm and witty speech
‘Had the media succeeded in the 1970s in their own attempt at deepening the special relationship, I might have been married off within the Nixon family!’ King Charles joked
‘Our people have fought and died together for the values we hold dear…we have innovated, traded and created together, fueling our cultures and economies through myriad forms of exchange,
‘We have celebrated together, mourned together and stood together in the best and worst of times.’
The King also did not shy away from referring the War of Independence, saying how ‘remarkable’ the US and UKs relationship has become.
‘My five times Great Grandfather, King George III, for his part, did not spare his worlds when he spoke of the revolutionary leaders,’ the monarch said.
‘Today, however, we celebrate a relationship between our two countries that surely neither Washington nor King George III could have possibly imagined. The ocean may still divide us, but in so many other ways we are now the closest of kin.’
Highlighting cultural, scientific, defence, security, intelligence, military and environmental links between the UK and US, the King concluded by toasting our ‘remarkable bond’ and ‘shared commitment to independence and liberty’.
The MAGA leader was seated between his ‘friend’ King Charles III and Princess Kate, who was wearing a couture gown by British designer Phillipa Lepley.
Camilla wore a Royal blue silk marocain embroidered dress by Fiona Clare, a sapphire and diamond tiara, and the King’s Family Order.
President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla walk to attend the State Banquet at Windsor Castle
US President Donald Trump looks at Princess Catherine at the State Banquet
Queen Camilla, King Charles, US President Donald Trump, and First Lady Melania Trump arrive for the state banquet
Trump opened his speech by saying ‘this is truly one of the highest honours of my life’
Before the banquet, Mr Trump smiled from ear-to-ear as he stood next to his wife, Melania, as well as King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Alongside the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duchess of Gloucester, and Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh were among royals present.
During this state visit, Trump was joined by his daughter Tiffany and her business executive husband, Michael Boulos.
Trump was also previously accompanied by his youngest daughter, as well as all of his children, during his first state visit in 2019.
In his speech to tonight’s banquet, the US President described it as the ‘one of the highest honours of’ his life.
He drew laughter from the hall as he joked that he hoped he would be the only US president to have two state visits.
He went on to praise the King for his ‘remarkable son’ Prince William, as well as his knowledge of guests’ names.
Describing Brits as ‘lion-hearted people’, he appeared to veer off-script discussing the country’s beauty – and of the King.
The Prince of Wales was also singled out for praise, with Trump saying he had got to know him and believed he would be ‘an unbelievable success in the future’.
And of the Princess of Wales? ‘Princess Catherine so radiant, and so healthy and so beautiful,’ he said.
