Trump hosts King Charles III, praises ‘Unbreakable’ US–UK alliance amid global tensions
Trump declares the US has “no closer friends than the British” as King Charles addresses US Congress; Trump reaffirms deep Anglo-American ties; Royal Visit to Washington highlights special relationship as Iran War shadows diplomacy
US President Donald Trump declared that the United States has “no closer friends than the British” as he hosted King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the White House on Tuesday during their official state visit.
The royal visit comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions linked to the ongoing war involving Iran, while discussions between Washington and London continue over regional security and military coordination.
During the morning reception, Trump and First Lady Melania welcomed the royal couple with full ceremonial honors, including a 21-gun salute and a military guard of honor at the White House.
Speaking at the South Lawn ceremony, Trump described the occasion as “a beautiful British day,” adding that the historic relationship between the two nations has remained unmatched since the time of American independence.
He emphasized that the United States and the United Kingdom share a “special relationship,” expressing hope that it would continue to strengthen in the future.
Later, Trump and King Charles III held a private meeting in the Oval Office, while Queen Camilla joined a parallel engagement focused on education and artificial intelligence initiatives.
King Charles III subsequently delivered a 20-minute address before the US Congress, marking only the second time a British monarch has spoken in Washington, following Queen Elizabeth II’s historic speech in 1991.
In his remarks, the King highlighted the enduring historical ties between the two nations, describing the relationship as one of the most significant alliances in modern history.
The visit takes place at a sensitive moment in US-UK relations, with differences emerging over the conflict involving Iran.
While Trump has praised the monarch personally, he has expressed criticism of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer over London’s cautious stance regarding US-Israeli military operations and its refusal to permit the use of British bases during early strikes.
The royal visit follows heightened security concerns after an incident during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, which is under investigation as a possible attack targeting the US President.
Following their Washington engagements, the royal couple is scheduled to travel to New York to visit the 9/11 memorial before continuing their tour to the Bermuda Islands.
