President Trump humorously quipped that his marriage to Melania was unlikely to match the longevity of his parents’ union, which lasted 63 years, in his welcome address to the British royals.
He later praised the late Queen Elizabeth II, Charles’s mother, as an ‘incredible woman’ who is ‘greatly missed on both sides of that mighty Atlantic.’
The President and First Lady have rolled out the red carpet for King Charles and Queen Camilla, welcoming them on their four-day state visit with pomp and pageantry.
A traditional military ceremony by the US Army Herald Trumpets was followed by national anthems of both countries, played by the US Marine Band, and a Presidential Salute Battery rendering a 21-gun salute, as part of their official arrival on Tuesday.
Charles and Queen Camilla have a jam-packed schedule for their second day in Washington, DC, which includes a bilateral meeting with Donald Trump, his address to Congress and a state dinner.
In a historic address to Congress at 3pm, the King is expected to emphasize the two countries’ long history and shared democratic values in an effort to strengthen the special UK-US relationship, which has been under serious strain in recent months.
The visit is the most important foreign trip of Charles’s reign so far, but it now has the added element of heightened security concerns after an attempted assassination of the President on Saturday at the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
After the royal couple wraps up in DC, they will head to New York to honor 9/11 victims and then to Virginia to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence.
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LIVE: Watch King Charles & Queen Camilla in Washington
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Trump jokes with Melania about their marriage
Donald Trump discussed his parents’ 63-year marriage, then turned to Melania and said, ‘That’s not a record we’re going to be able to match, darling.’
He added, ‘I’m sorry, just not going to work out that way.’
Trump explained that his mother moved to America from Scotland at 19 years old and met his father.
He said that his mother loved the royal family and Queen Elizabeth.
First ‘Pass in Review’ performed at the White House
Donald Trump and King Charles participate in a ‘Pass in Review,’ which is a military ceremony where troops are inspected by their commanders.
It was the first time the ceremony was conducted at the White House.
Trump will watch King Charles Congressional address remotely
The president said he wanted to watch King Charles’ address from Congress, but was told it was against protocol.
‘He’s going to be addressing Congress, and I’m going to be watching,’ Trump said.
‘I was thinking of going, but they said, “I don’t know. That might be a step too far.” I would love to go. It’s not supposed to be protocol, but I would love to be with you.’
He continued, ‘But there, the direct descendant of King George III will speak to the direct successor of the very body that gathered in Independence Hall on July 4, 1776.
‘If John Adams and George Washington or the king’s fifth great-grandfather could see that sight, they might be absolutely shocked. But probably only for a moment. Surely, they would be delighted that the wounds of war healed into the most cherished friendship.’
WATCH: How did the King keep calm and carry on with Trumps? A cup of tea!
Trump and King Charles ‘at ease’ in each other’s company
The royal and first couples emerged from the South Portico and President Trump introduced the King to JD Vance and other members of his Cabinet including Marco Rubio and Scott Bessent.
They then walked onto a wooden dais surrounded by bushy plants and sat on wooden chairs with green cushions.
At the conclusion of the national anthems a mist of smoke drifted across the lawn from a military salute.
The King and President seemed at ease in each other’s company as they then took a circular walk around the lawn inspecting the assembled military.
Trump occasionally motioned with his arm as he directed the King where to go. After the President’s speech the two men appeared to share a personal moment, smiling and chatting at the side of the dais.
Royals watch military display from White House balcony
King Charles and Queen Camilla watched the US military display from the White House balcony with President Trump and the First Lady.
‘Americans have had no closer friends than the British,’ Trump says
Donald Trump spoke about the ‘special relationship’ between the US and the UK.
‘That understanding of our nation’s unique bond and role in history is the essence of our special relationship,’ he said. ‘And we hope it will always remain that way.’
Trump added, ‘In the centuries since we won our independence, Americans have had no closer friends than the British.
‘We share that same root. We speak the same language, we hold the same values, and together, our warriors have defended the same extraordinary civilization under twin banners of red, white and blue.’
Trump pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth
The president honored King Charles’ mother, Queen Elizabeth, during his South Lawn speech.
‘Her late majesty, Queen Elizabeth, an incredible woman, who I had the privilege of getting to know, Queen Elizabeth the II, a very special woman who is very greatly missed on both sides of that mighty Atlantic,’ he said.
Trump shares his mother had a crush on Charles
Donald Trump revealed that his mother, Mary Anne MacLeod Trump, had a crush on a young King Charles.
‘She loved the royal family and she loved the queen. And 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,’ Trump said.
‘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.’
First Lady and Queen wearing matching white outfits
First Lady Melania Trump and Queen Camilla wore matching cream outfits with hats on day two of the royal state visit.
Trump acknowledges irony of royal visit to celebrate American independence
The president acknowledged the irony of hosting the British royals to celebrate America’s independence.
‘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,’ he said.
‘Long before Americans had a nation or a constitution, we first had a culture, a character and a creed. 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.’
Trump cabinet VIP seen among official welcome guests
As they took their seats to the left of the podium White House chief of staff and Foreign Secretary were engaged in animated conversation.
War Secretary Pete Hegseth pointed to the giant flagpole recently installed by President Trump, smiled at Marco Rubio, and then raised a clenched fist.
To the right of the podium two cranes that are being used to build President Trump’s new ballroom swung slowly overhead.
