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President Trump and First Lady Melania Host a Glorious White House State Dinner


President Trump and First Lady Melania Host a Glorious White House State Dinner in Honour of His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla

When the doors of the magnificent East Room of the White House were thrown open on the evening of Tuesday the 28th of April 2026, the scene that awaited King Charles III, Queen Camilla, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump was one of breathtaking, almost dreamlike splendour. Cherry blossoms greeted guests upon entering the Grand Foyer, whilst towering trees and blossoming garden boxes of lilac, inspired by the beauty of English gardens, transformed the storied rooms of the White House into something of extraordinary and enchanting beauty. This was the Grand State Banquet — the magnificent centrepiece of the most celebrated royal state visit in a generation — and from the very first moment, it announced itself as an occasion entirely worthy of the history it was honouring.

The two couples, photographed together next to the Grand Staircase of the Grand Foyer before dinner, were a portrait of regal and presidential elegance at its most sublime. Queen Camilla was luminous in a vibrant pink Fiona Clare gown, its embroidered bodice and flowing pleated skirt a masterpiece of refined femininity, completed with breathtaking jewels — an amethyst and diamond necklace once belonging to Queen Victoria herself, part of the historic Kent Amethyst Demi-Parure dating to 1818. Beside her, First Lady Melania Trump was a vision in a pale delphinium pink silk strapless gown by Christian Dior Haute Couture, complemented by off-white Dior suede gloves and Dior silk pumps — an ensemble of such effortless, timeless glamour that it will be spoken of for years to come. Together they were, quite simply, magnificent — two extraordinary women whose elegance and grace elevated an already historic evening to something altogether unforgettable.

The dinner itself was a culinary celebration of the very finest that America has to offer its most distinguished guests. Four exquisite courses were presented — a garden herb velouté with hearts of palm, spring herb ravioli filled with ricotta and morels, a classic Dover sole meunière with potatoes pavé, and, in a wonderfully personal touch, a beehive-shaped chocolate gâteau with vanilla bean crémeux — a charming and delightful homage to the King’s beloved passion for beekeeping. Three celebrated American wines accompanied the courses, each one a testament to the extraordinary breadth and quality of the American vintner’s art.

When President Trump rose to speak, the room fell to a warm and expectant hush. The President, who has spoken of King Charles with consistent and genuine admiration throughout this visit, delivered remarks of real feeling and conviction. He described the bond between the two nations as a treasured friendship and an eternal alliance, declaring that history had known no more powerful force than the combination of American patriotism and British pride. He raised his glass to 250 years of American freedom, to the enduring Special Relationship, and to the King himself — and the room rose with him in a toast that resonated far beyond the walls of the East Room and out into the wider world. The President had already praised the King’s address to Congress earlier that day, calling it a great speech — and the warmth and sincerity with which he spoke at dinner left no doubt whatsoever that this was a host who had given everything to make his royal guests feel not merely welcome, but deeply and genuinely cherished.

King Charles, when he rose in response, proved once again why he is one of the most naturally gifted and instinctively captivating speakers of his generation. He opened his remarks with characteristic graciousness and humanity, before the room dissolved in delighted laughter as he observed that he could not help but notice the changes being made to the East Wing — adding with perfect comic timing that the British had of course made their own rather more dramatic attempt at White House redevelopment back in 1814. He went on to speak with depth and sincerity of the alliance between two nations that have stood together through the defining moments of the modern world, of shared values and shared sacrifice, and of the enduring importance of the bond that unites them. It was a toast that was by turns moving, witty, warm and profound — and it was received with the kind of sustained, joyful applause that is the highest compliment any room can bestow.

The guest list sparkled with distinction. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch, Samuel Alito, Brett Kavanaugh and Clarence Thomas were among the remarkable assembly gathered to celebrate this historic occasion — a cross-section of American power, intellect and enterprise united in honour of their royal guests.

And so, as the final toasts were raised and the candlelight played across the flowers and the faces of the most distinguished gathering Washington had seen in years, the full and magnificent success of this extraordinary state visit stood complete and glorious in all its historic splendour. From that first military salute on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews to the thunderous standing ovations in Congress, from the intimate warmth of afternoon tea in the Green Room to the grandeur of this most magnificent of state banquets, Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla a shinning beacon of grace, humanity and a quiet diplomatic brilliance that has been nothing short of extraordinary. Their Majesties have been received at every turn with a warmth and generosity that speaks of the deepest and most genuine affection — and in return they have given America something equally precious: the presence of a King and Queen who came not merely as representatives of a nation, but as true and devoted friends. The hospitality of President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump has been magnificent in every regard — generous, personal, joyful and deeply felt — and it will be remembered as one of the great acts of transatlantic friendship in the long and storied history of these two remarkable nations. This state visit has been, in every conceivable sense, a triumph — and its golden memory will endure long, long after the last toast has been drunk and the last light of this most beautiful of Washington evenings has finally, and gloriously, faded.

 

Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla extend their deepest gratitude and warmest appreciation to President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for their extraordinary generosity, gracious hospitality and the profound honour bestowed upon them throughout this most historic of state visits. Heartfelt recognition is extended to the Honourable Marco Rubio, United States Secretary of State, for his distinguished service and diplomatic stewardship, and to the Honourable Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House of Representatives, whose warm and unwavering welcome on Capitol Hill will long be remembered. To the United States Senate, the Congress of the United States, and to every elected representative who extended such genuine and bipartisan fellowship — sincere and lasting appreciation is offered. Their Majesties wish to extend particular and heartfelt recognition to Director Sean M. Curran of the United States Secret Service, and to every member of his exceptional and dedicated team, whose consummate professionalism, unwavering vigilance and quiet, selfless devotion to duty ensured the safety and security of all throughout this visit with a thoroughness and discretion that spoke volumes of their extraordinary skill, integrity and honour — a service to the Crown and to the Special Relationship that will not be forgotten. To the magnificent men and women of the United States Armed Forces, whose precision, pride and impeccable bearing graced every ceremonial occasion of this visit with such distinction and honour, the deepest admiration and respect is most sincerely conveyed. And to the great and beautiful city of Washington D.C. — its institutions, its people and its enduring spirit — Their Majesties depart with full hearts, cherished memories, and the warmest possible affection for this most remarkable of nations.

 

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