During a state dinner at the White House, US President Donald Trump said that Britain’s King Charles III had agreed that Iran could not possess nuclear weapons. Trump also said that Iran had been “militarily defeated.”
Amid the grandeur and political symbolism of the White House state dinner honoring King Charles III and Queen Camilla, the evening took on a lighter tone as Donald Trump and the British monarch exchanged witty remarks during their toasts.
King Charles playfully referenced Trump’s past criticism of European allies, who he accused of relying heavily on U.S. defense since World War II.
With a sharp historical twist, Charles quipped that while Trump once suggested Europe might be “speaking German” without American support, the United States itself might be “speaking French” if not for Britain’s role in shaping early North American history, an allusion to colonial rivalries prior to American independence.
Trump responded warmly, praising Charles’s address to Congress as “fantastic,” joking that the King had achieved something he could not, getting Democrats to rise in applause.
The monarch continued his light-hearted tone, humorously noting changes to the White House’s East Wing following Trump’s previous visit to Windsor Castle.
He then referenced the Burning of Washington, when British forces set fire to the White House in 1814, jokingly describing it as an early British attempt at “real estate redevelopment.”
Beyond the humor, the evening carried strong political undertones. Trump stated that King Charles agreed Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons, asserting that Iran had been “militarily defeated” and emphasizing a shared stance on preventing nuclear proliferation, dw.com reports.
In his speech, King Charles highlighted urgent global challenges, particularly environmental protection. He described nature as humanity’s “most precious and irreplaceable asset,” warning that the collapse of natural systems poses serious risks to prosperity and security.
“In the centuries since we won our independence, Americans have had no closer friends than the British,” Trump said in a speech.
He said the two countries shared “a special relationship, and we hope it will always remain that way.”
And despite having recently said he was “not happy” with the UK over its position on the Strait of Hormuz and referring to two British aircraft carriers as “toys,” Trump went on to say that “nobody fought better together” than the US and the UK.
Charles received a standing ovation from some lawmakers when he called Christianity “a firm anchor and daily inspiration,” before continuing to say that it “guides us not only personally, but together as members of our community.”
“Having devoted a large part of my life to interfaith relationships and greater understanding, it is that faith in the triumph of light over darkness, which I have found confirmed countless times,” he continued.
He went on to say: “I believe with all my heart that the essence of our two nations is a generosity of spirit and a duty to foster compassion, to promote peace, to deepen mutual understanding, and to value all people of all faiths and of none.”
Reaffirming the deep-rooted alliance between the United States and the United Kingdom, Charles pointed to extensive military cooperation, including joint production of advanced fighter jets and the ambitious AUKUS submarine program.
He cautioned against isolationist tendencies, urging both nations to strengthen their historic partnership alongside Europe and the Commonwealth.
Invoking US history throughout the speech, Charles warned against calls for the US to break with its longstanding ties with the UK.
“From the bitter divisions of 250 years ago, we forged a friendship that has grown into one of the most consequential alliances in human history,” Charles added.
“I pray with all our heart that our alliance will continue to defend our shared values with our partners, with Europe, and the Commonwealth and across the world. And that we ignore the clarion calls to become ever more inward-looking.”
He also called for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, underscoring the broader international responsibilities of both nations.
