Trump praises ‘eternal’ bonds between US and UK
US President Donald Trump said the so-called special relationship between the UK and US would endure.
“Seen from American eyes the world ‘special’ does not begin to do [the special relationship] justice. We are joined by history and fate and love and language and transcendent ties of culture, tradition, ancestry and destiny,” Trump said during his speech at the state banquet hosted by King Charles.
He said the bonds between the two countries were “priceless and eternal” before describing how he believes he’s transformed America in one year from “a very sick country” into “the hottest country anywhere in the world”.
Trump then offered a toast to our “great friendship” and to the king, before “God Save the King”, the UK’s national anthem, was played.
Trump prepares for talks with Starmer after day of pomp and ceremony
After a day of pomp and ceremony, a lavish banquet and mutual praise for the US-UK special relationship, the final leg of Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK will be more overtly political.
Having stayed the night at Windsor Castle, the US president will on Thursday travel to Chequers, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s country retreat, for bilateral talks.
The two leaders will also attend a business lunch with top US executives hosted by Starmer’s chancellor, Rachel Reeves.
Much will hinge on the planned press conference between the two men, when reporters are likely to search for any chinks in the special relationship.
The UK’s expected recognition of a Palestinian state next week, renewed efforts to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate peace with Ukraine, and the legacy of convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein are all areas where the diplomatic niceties on display at Windsor Castle could be tested.
Apple, BAE and GSK chiefs feature in royal procession to state banquet
Chief executives who took part in the royal procession towards the state banquet hosted included Tim Cook of US tech group Apple and Charles Woodburn of the UK’s BAE.
Emma Walmsley, chief executive of UK-listed pharmaceutical group GSK, proceeded next to Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy to the Middle East. American businessman Michael Boulos, who is married to Donald Trump’s daughter Tiffany, walked alongside Catherine, Princess of Wales.
US secretary of state Marco Rubio and Treasury secretary Scott Bessent were also present in the procession at Windsor Castle.
The menu featured a Hampshire watercress panna cotta, an organic Norfolk chicken ballotine and a “Transatlantic Whisky Sour” cocktail created for the occasion, according to an official royal communication.
The music scheduled to accompany the banquet included arrangements of Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer”, the Rolling Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You What” and Leonard Bernstein’s “Tonight” from the musical West Side Story.