King Charles III’s Washington visit featured a WWII-era submarine bell for President Trump, a rare address to Congress and a formal White House dinner.
King Charles III used a state visit to Washington to emphasize the U.S.-U.K. relationship, pairing ceremonial diplomacy with a World War II-era gift to President Trump, a rare address to Congress and a formal White House dinner.
The king, joined by Queen Camilla, presented Mr. Trump with an original bell from HMS Trump, a British submarine used during World War II. The bell was inscribed “Trump 1944,” according to the report.
At the state dinner, Charles framed the visit around an alliance that has developed over nearly 250 years since the United States declared independence from Britain. He praised America’s break from the British Empire as an “audacious and visionary act of self-determination” and said he had come “to renew an indispensable alliance.”
The visit also included some pointed historical humor. Referring to Mr. Trump’s plans for a White House ballroom following the demolition of the East Wing, Charles joked that the British had made their own “small attempt at real estate development” at the White House in 1814, a reference to the burning of Washington during the War of 1812.
The state dinner drew a high-profile guest list released by first lady Melania Trump’s office, including the Supreme Court’s six conservative justices, major technology and business figures, senior administration officials and several of the president’s children with their spouses. Among those listed were Jeff Bezos, Tim Cook, David Ellison, Vice President JD Vance, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Earlier Tuesday, Charles became the first British monarch in more than three decades to address Congress. He and Camilla received a standing ovation in a packed House chamber before a speech that ran nearly 30 minutes and urged the two countries to recommit themselves to public service and shared democratic ideals as the United States approaches its 250th birthday.
The White House arrival ceremony on the South Lawn included a military flyover and cannon salute. Mr. Trump spoke of the “special relationship” between the two countries and said his late mother had loved the royal family.
After the ceremony, the president, first lady and British royals watched a military procession before entering the White House. Mr. Trump and Charles held a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office that was closed to the press. The president later called it “a really good meeting” and described the king and queen as “incredible people.”
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