The US President delivered a speech to some 160 guests at the State Banquet in Windsor Castle on Wednesday – and he paid some special attention to the Princess of Wales
Trump visit: POTUS follows King Charles’ State Banquet speech
Donald Trump has seemingly taken a fresh swipe at Prince Harry while praising both Prince William and his ‘beautiful’ wife, Princess Kate.
The President and his wife Melania were guests of honour at a lavish State Banquet in St George’s Hall inside Windsor Castle, hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla on Wednesday evening.
And Trump addressed the 160 guests who had been invited for the special occasion, and paid tribute to the royals – making a special effort to single out the Prince and Princess of Wales.
The President, who was seated between Charles and Kate, said in part, “I just want to say that His Majesty has also raised a remarkable son and his Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, uh, really amazing. We’ve gotten to know you and I think you’re going to have an unbelievable success and future.
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Melania and I are delighted to visit again with Prince William and to see Her Royal highness Princess Catherine; so radiant, so healthy, so beautiful,” he said, turning to the Princess. “It’s really a great honour. Thank you.”
In response to Mr Trump’s gushing words, Kate could be seen smiling and bowing her head in thanks.
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It was the second time that Trump had described the Princess’s beauty during his UK visit. William and Kate were on hand to welcome the President and First Lady as their helicopter Marine Onetouched down in the grounds of Windsor Castle on Wednesday afternoon.
He was first greeted by William with a handshake, and the president, who was affectionately patting the prince’s right arm, appeared to say: “Hello, my friend. How are you?” He then moved on to shake the Princess’s hand, and she gave him a broad smile as he appeared to tell her: “You’re so beautiful, so beautiful.”
Elsewhere in his address at the State Banquet, the US leader described it as a “singular privilege” to be the first American president to be granted a second state banquet, adding: “This is truly one of the highest honours of my life, such respect for you and such respect for your country.”
A state banquet is the showstopper of any state visit, with speeches, royal toasts, trumpet fanfares, and lavish food and wine.
For Trump’s visit, the 160 guests ate from a menu, written in French, which translated as: Hampshire Watercress Panna Cotta with Parmesan shortbread and quail egg salad; Organic Norfolk chicken ballotine wrapped in courgettes with a thyme and savoury infused jus; Vanilla ice cream bombe with Kentish raspberry sorbet interior with lightly poached Victoria plums.
There was also a generous wine list and after-dinner drinks, including a 1945 vintage port, in honour of Trump having been the 45th US president, although he does not drink alcohol.
There was a 1912 cognac, from the birth year of the president’s Scottish-born mother, and a special cocktail, the Transatlantic Whisky Sour, which blended Johnnie Walker with the bright citrus of marmalade, with pecan foam and a toasted marshmallow on a biscuit.
