Donald Trump has joked his mother used to have a crush on ‘cute’ King Charles when he was a young prince.
The US President lavished praised on the King on day two of his historic state visit as he told of his mum’s love for the Royal Family.
Speaking at the White House South Lawn, where he staged a ceremonial military welcome for Charles and Queen Camilla, the American leader described the ‘tremendous privilege’ he felt at hosting Their Majesties.
He also spoke of his own enduring love and admiration for the monarchy, inspired by his Scottish Mother’s adoration of Queen Elizabeth II – and her ‘crush on a young Prince Charles’.
Mr Trump noted that Mary Anne MacLeod Trump, who died in 2000, ‘loved the Royal Family and the Queen’, and that she thought the then-Prince Charles was ‘cute’.
He said: ‘Any time the Queen was involved in a ceremony or anything, my mother would be glued to the television and she would say, “look, Donald, look how beautiful that is”.
‘She really did love the family. But I also remember her saying very clearly: “Charles, look, young Charles, he is so cute”.
‘My mother had a crush on Charles. Can you believe it? Amazing how I wonder what she is thinking right now.’
Donald Trump has joked his mother used to have a crush on ‘cute’ King Charles when he was a young prince. Pair pictured on Tuesday
Donald Trump with his mother Mary Anne MacLeod Trump, who died in 2000, and ‘loved the Royal Family and the Queen’
A 29-year-old Prince Charles is seen inspecting the countryside during a hunt in Cirencester in 1978. Mr Trump joked today that his mother had found the young prince ‘cute’
Mr Trump’s mother was born and raised on the Hebridean island of Lewis but emigrated to New York in 1930.
He added: ‘My wonderful mother Mary MacLeod, was born in Stornoway, Scotland, the Hebrides. And that is what they call very serious Scotland there is no question about it.
‘Some places they say “was it really Scotland?” Well the Hebrides that is real serious Scotland, that is where they had the greatest of warriors.
‘She came to America at 19, met my incredible father – we loved him so much – Fred, and they were married for 63 years.’
The president also hailed the relationship between the US and the UK as having the ‘strongest and deepest of roots’.
Despite the recent tensions between the UK and the US, Mr Trump spoke passionately about the bonds between the two countries.
He declared: ‘In the centuries since we won our independence, Americans have had no closer friends than the British.’
And he paid tribute to the ‘essence’ of the ‘special relationship’ in the wake of the Second World War, saying: ‘That understanding of our nation’s unique bond and role in history is the essence of our special relationship and we hope it will always remain that way.’
In a speech, Trump branded the US and the UK ‘the two most exceptional nations the world has ever known’, calling on the nations to go forward ‘together… with even stronger resolve’.
Trump concluded: ‘Your Majesties, thank you once again for making this important visit. We are so honoured.’
Donald Trump and King Charles shake hands during the State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn
Melania and Donald Trump wave goodbye to King Charles and Queen Camila following a state arrival ceremony
President Donald Trump speaks during the welcome ceremony for King Charles III on the South Lawn of the White House
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‘Americans have no closer friends than the British’: Trump hails the ‘roots’ between US and UK
President Trump also confirmed that he had had a ‘a really good meeting’ with the King in the Oval Office.
Speaking just after the bilateral meeting between the two heads of state, as Trump and the First Lady escorted Charles and Camilla to their car, Trump said of his meeting and the royal couple: ‘It was a really good meeting. He’s a fantastic person. They’re incredible people, and it’s a real honour.’
While the president and the King held private talks in the Oval Office, Camilla and Melania joined a group of American students at the White House tennis pavilion for a ‘cross-cultural’ engagement showcasing education in tech, where students used virtual reality headsets and AI-enabled glasses to learn about American history and ‘special relationship with the UK’.
The session showcased Mrs. Trump’s ‘Fostering the Future Together’ initiative, which she launched last year, with the group, including state champions from the Presidential AI Challenge.
Offered a pair of the special glasses by one of the students, Melania tried them on, declaring the effects to be ‘incredible’.
After their high-profile, but low-key welcome to the US yesterday by the president and First Lady Melania which involved pots of tea, dainty sandwiches and small talk, the couple’s historic – and controversial – state visit got into full swing this morning.
The American leader, who sources say was insistent that the first inwards state visit of his second presidency would be by the British Royal Family and has described the monarch as a ‘great man’, was keen to show off his country’s military history and prowess.
He formally welcomed King Charles and Queen Camilla with a military ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, the highest diplomatic honour extended by the US to a visiting head of state.
First lady Melania Trump and Britain’s Queen Camilla attend a cross-cultural educational event at the White House Tennis Pavilion
The Queen, King Charles III, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump wave to guests from the Blue Room Balcony of the White House today as the state visit continues
The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps performs for US President Donald Trump
Speaking on the South Lawn later, Trump acknowledged the apparent irony of a state visit by the royal family to the United States, which is marking 250 years of independence from the British this year.
He also found time for a brief joke about the grey, drizzly conditions, noting: ‘What a beautiful British day this is.’
Trump said: ‘Here in the shadows of monuments to George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, honoring the British King might seem an ironic beginning to our celebration of 250 years of American Independence, but in fact, no tribute to be more appropriate.
‘Before we ever proclaimed our independence, Americans carried within us the rarest of gifts, moral courage and it came from a small but mighty kingdom from across the sea.
‘The American patriots who pledged their lives to independence in 1776 were the heirs to this majestic inheritance; their veins rang with English faith in standing firm for what was right, good and true.’
Earlier today, Mr Trump could barely contain his excitement after the Daily Mail exclusively revealed he shares royal blood with King Charles III.
The president is related to the King via their shared ancestor in the 3rd Earl of Lennox, a great-grandson of King James II of Scotland.
The Daily Mail’s research, revealed on Monday, found the connection makes Trump and Charles 15th cousins.
Trump reacted to the news on Truth Social: ‘Wow, that’s nice. I’ve always wanted to live in Buckingham Palace!!! I’ll talk to the King and Queen about this in a few minutes!!’
