King Charles takes brutal swipe at Donald Trump during state dinner
King Charles III roasted Donald Trump during a lavish state banquet put on by the president to commemorate the British monarch's visit to the US.
The King, 77, and Queen Camilla, 78, touched down in Washington DC on Monday afternoon (27 April) for a four-day state trip, where they're spending time between the capital, New York, and Virginia with the Republican leader and First Lady Melania Trump.
Last night (28 April), on the second day of their visit across the pond, the royal couple attended a White House state dinner inside the East Room, where they tucked into a swanky four-course meal.
In attendance were over 100 guests, such as the president's cabinet and the King's aides, as well as a number of famous faces such as golfer Rory McIlroy, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and Apple CEO Tim Cook.
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Both Trump and Charles gave speeches to the room, which included a number of jokes that earned a laugh from those attending.
During his light-hearted toast, the King threw in a gag about America's colonial past.
He said: "This said, our French friends can feel equally at home with a glance at a map. Indeed, you recently commented, Mr President, that if it were not for the United States, European countries would be speaking German."
Trump did indeed tell a room full of European leaders at the World Economic Forum back in January that 'without us, right now, you’d all be speaking German and [a] little Japanese perhaps'.
The monarch then paused, before adding: "Dare I say that if it wasn't for us, you'd be speaking French," joking about Britain’s historical role.
The King was thought to be referring to places with British and French origins in North America, where the rival colonial powers battled for control of the continent before US independence 250 years ago, as per France24.
He quickly added: "Of course, we both love our French cousins greatly."
Reacting to the quip, one X user claimed: "That wasn’t a joke, that was a historical counterattack."
While a second added: "That awkward smile, yeah, he definitely didn't catch that one."
And a third brutally wrote: "God, I so would buy tickets to this show. I don't enjoy anything as much as seeing the King humiliate Trump."
Elsewhere during the dinner, King Charles presented the POTUS with a rather unexpected gift - an original bell from HMS Trump, a British submarine involved in the Battle of the Pacific during World War Two.
"I’m delighted to present to you the original bell which hung on the conning tower of your valiant namesake. May it stand as a testimony to our nation’s shared history and shining future," he said.
The monarch then joked: "And should you ever need to get hold of us… Well, just give us a ring!"
Earlier in the day, the King made history when he delivered an address to both houses of the US Congress, making him the second British monarch to do so after his mother Queen Elizabeth II’s speech during her 1991 state visit.
During this record-breaking moment, he told the assembled politicians that the partnership between the two nations is 'more important today than it has ever been'.
He said when Britain and America drew on their common values to come together: "This, I believe, is the special ingredient in our relationship."
What was on the menu at the White House state dinner?
According to the White House, the first course consisted of a ‘delicate’ garden Vegetable Velouté, with a ‘refreshing’ hearts of palm salad. The dish was topped off with toasted shallots and a ‘whisper of micro mint for brightness and contrast’.
This was followed by a ‘handcrafted’ spring herb ravioli, which featured herbs from the White House Kitchen Garden, and was ‘generously filled’ with creamy ricotta and dressed ‘in a light parmesan emulsion’.
When it came to the third course, guests were served a classic Dover sole meunière, which had been ‘bathed in a nutty brown butter’. It was ‘accompanied by tender spring ramps, sweet snow peas, layered potatoes pavé, and a vibrant parsley oil for a refined, seasonal finish’.
For dessert, they had a beehive-shaped chocolate gâteau with a vanilla bean crémeux custard, crème fraîche ice cream and White House honey.
A selection of wines was also presented to ‘complement the menu while honoring the shared heritage and enduring friendship between the United States and the United Kingdom’.
King Charles and Queen Camilla's US state visit schedule
Day 1: Monday 27 April
On Monday afternoon, Donald and Melania Trump welcomed King Charles and Queen Camilla at the South Portico of the White House. The president and first lady hosted a private tea for the royals before giving them a tour of the newly expanded White House beehive on the South Lawn.
They later attended a garden party at the British ambassador's residence in Washington, with around 650 people representing the UK and US in attendance. Up to 3,000 sandwiches were prepared for the occasion, with guests ranging from Trump administration officials to retired British diver Tom Daley.
King Charles and Queen Camilla are expected to stay at Blair House, the official guesthouse across from the White House, during their state visit.
Day 2: Tuesday 28 April
On Tuesday morning, the president and first lady hosted a State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House to formally welcome Their Majesties, featuring a traditional military arrival ceremony and a speech from Trump.
The King and POTUS participated in a bilateral meeting to discuss the US and UK's relations. At the same time, the Queen and the first lady joined students for an educational event at the White House Tennis Pavilion.
King Charles also delivered a speech to both houses of the US Congress, making him the second British monarch to do so after his mother Queen Elizabeth II’s speech during her 1991 state visit.
A State Dinner was held in the evening, where the monarch and Trump gave speeches.
Day 3: Wednesday 29 April
On Wednesday, King Charles and Queen Camilla will travel to the Big Apple to attend a 9/11 memorial at One World Trade Center. They will also meet with the first responders and families of victims in the 2001 attacks.
The King will then visit a community organisation and attend a meeting with senior business leaders, while the Queen will head to a literary event to mark the 100th anniversary of Winnie-the-Pooh.
Day 4: Thursday 30 April
For the final day of their state visit, the royals will return to the White House to bid a formal goodbye to the president and first lady.
King Charles and Queen Camilla will then make their way to Virginia to visit a national park and attend community events celebrating the 250th anniversary of US independence.
The Palace says His Majesty will then travel to Bermuda to undertake his first royal visit as Monarch to a British Overseas Territory.
Topics: King Charles III, Donald Trump, Royal Family, News, US News, UK News, Melania Trump, Queen Camilla
Madison Burgess