Trump hails ‘special relationship’ during ceremonial welcome for King Charles’s state visit | King Charles III

Donald Trump praised the “special relationship” between the US and the UK as he hosted a military welcome ceremony for Charles and Camilla at the White House.

In the face of recent tensions between London and Washington, the US president, speaking on the second day of King Charles’ state visit, said: “In the centuries since our independence, Americans have had no closer friends than the British.”

Paying tribute to the “essence” of the “special relationship” after the Second World War, he said: “An understanding of our nation’s unique bond and its role in history is the essence of our special relationship, and we hope it will always remain so.”

Charles’ diplomatically sensitive visit comes as Trump publicly criticizes Keir Starmer over the war in Iran. Officials at Downing Street hope the royal family’s soft power diplomacy can help heal the dispute.

During the official welcome, Trump said it was a “tremendous privilege” to host the royal couple, describing Charles as “a very gracious man”, the late Queen Elizabeth II. He praised Elizabeth as “a very special woman” and revealed that her mother Mary “fell in love” with the king when she was younger.

The President and Melania Trump held an unprecedented military parade for royal guests; Charles and Camilla watched the show in Washington, D.C., along with their hosts, 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 mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Later on Tuesday, Charles is expected to address recent tensions between Britain and the US when he delivers a rare speech by a monarch to the US Congress, where he will emphasize that “our two countries have always found ways to come together”.

His speech to both chambers on Tuesday came after Trump threatened to tear up a trade deal signed by Britain and the United States, mocked the Royal Navy and insulted the British prime minister.

The king is expected to state that Britain and the United States have not always agreed on every issue over the last 250 years, but that the foundations of their “democratic, legal and social traditions” dating back to Magna Carta “have always found ways for our two countries to come together”.

While Trump threatens to impose a “massive tariff” on the UK if the US does not reduce its digital services tax on technology companies, Charles will touch upon the importance of trade and technology agreements that will play a vital role in the two countries’ ongoing economic partnership.

The king is expected to briefly address the assassination attempt on Trump at a Washington media dinner on Saturday night and offer “the highest respect and friendship of the British people to the people of the United States” on the 250th anniversary of America’s independence.

During the welcoming ceremony, Charles and Camilla stood at the podium with the President and First Lady, while the UK and US national anthems were played by The President’s Own United States Marine Band and a commemorative 21-gun salute was fired by the Presidential Salute Battery.

Guests included senior members of the Trump administration, including vice president J.D. Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, secretary of state Marco Rubio, secretary of defense Pete Hegseth and special envoy for peace missions Steve Witkoff.