President Trump and King Charles toasted one another Wednesday at a state banquet at Windsor Castle, sealing the “special relationship” of the U.S. and Britain during the president’s state visit to the United Kingdom.
Charles emphasized the two countries’ shared values and achievements, and he reflected on the evolution of the relationship between Britain and the U.S. since 1776.
“Mr. President, as we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence next year, it is remarkable to think just how far we have come,” he said.
“I cannot help but wonder what our forebears from 1776 would make of this friendship today. The rebel commander and pioneering first President George Washington famously vowed never to set foot on British soil.”
He continued, “And my five times great grandfather, King George III, for his part, did not spare his words when he spoke of the revolutionary leaders today.”
“However, we celebrate a relationship between our two countries that, surely, neither Washington nor King George III could possibly have imagined.”
Charles concluded that while the ocean divides the U.S. and Britain, the nations are now the “closest of kin.”
President Trump lauded the king and the royal family.
Mr. Trump said he was impressed with Charles’ ability to recognize over 100 guests’ names and their companies.
He also said he raised a “remarkable son in his Royal Highness, Prince of Wales.”
He said of Prince William, “We’ve gotten to know you, and I think you’re going to have an unbelievable success in future.”
“Melania and I are delighted to visit again with Prince William and to see Her Royal Highness, Princess Catherine, so radiant and so healthy, so beautiful. It’s a really great honor.”
Mr. Trump talked about a 1993 document that King Charles made available many years ago, in which he described how patriotism guided his many projects.
“He wrote that he was ’entirely motivated by a desperate desire to put the ’Great’ back into Great Britain. In the finest tradition of British sovereigns, he’s given his whole heart, everything he’s got, to those parts of Britain that are beyond the realm of mere legislation,” Mr. Trump said before ticking off all the cultural and historical commonalities the U.K. and U.S. share.
“I believe [the U.S.] is the hottest country anywhere in the world. In fact, nobody’s even questioning it, but we owe so much of that to you and the footing that you gave us when we started together,” he said.
“We’ve done more good for humanity than any two countries in all of history together. We must defend the exceptional heritage that makes us who we are.”
