Britain’s King Charles III and US President Donald Trump praised the historic alliance between their countries during a White House state dinner, despite lingering tensions over Iran and broader foreign policy issues.
Read More: King Charles heads to US despite tensions
The lavish dinner, hosted in Washington on Tuesday, marked a key moment in King Charles’s four-day visit to the United States. Joined by Queen Camilla, the British monarch attended a formal reception and state banquet alongside Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.
During the dinner, both leaders highlighted the importance of the longstanding UK-US partnership, often referred to as the “special relationship.” In his toast, King Charles described the alliance as an essential pillar of global prosperity and security, calling for continued cooperation to address international challenges.
An everlasting bond between two nations 🇺🇸🤝🇬🇧
President Trump and the First Lady host their majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla for a distinguished state dinner. pic.twitter.com/CyqwnDKf44
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 29, 2026
— Office of the First Lady (@FirstLadyOffice) April 29, 2026
Trump also praised ties with Britain and commended the king’s earlier address to the US Congress, where Charles urged unity among Western allies. The monarch’s speech focused on international cooperation, NATO, and support for Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing invasion.
However, Trump briefly touched on the issue of Iran, making remarks about preventing Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons. He suggested Charles agreed with his position, although there has been no public indication from Buckingham Palace or the British government supporting Trump’s stance.
The state dinner featured an elaborate menu, including garden vegetable velouté, spring ravioli, Dover sole meunière, and a honey and vanilla dessert.
High-profile guests included Apple CEO Tim Cook, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Nvidia chief Jensen Huang, and golfer Rory McIlroy.
Earlier in the day, Trump welcomed Charles and Queen Camilla with full ceremonial honors, including a 21-gun salute and military flypast. He described Britain as America’s closest ally, while joking about his Scottish-born mother and British weather.
Security remained tight throughout the visit following an alleged assassination attempt targeting Trump at a Washington media event over the weekend.
Read More: UK government addresses concerns over King Charles US visit safety
The royal couple is scheduled to visit New York’s 9/11 Memorial on Wednesday before concluding the trip with a visit to Bermuda.