The US President appeared to veer away from his prepared remarks, launching an attack on his political rivals and declaring America “the hottest country in the world” in a breach of diplomatic protocol
Donald Trump went embarrassingly off-script during his state banquet speech, launching a political attack in front of the King in a major breach of protocol.
And in apparently scripted remarks, the US President referred to “free speech” and said the “Union Jack is ever flown” – which many will see as political references to UK domestic politics.
The US President was speaking at a lavish state dinner in his honour at Windsor Castle, marking his second state visit to the UK.
Speaking publicly for the first time since arriving in the UK, Trump apparently veered away from his prepared remarks, turning to the King and saying: “We are, as a country, as you know, doing unbelievably well.”
Attacking his predecessor Joe Biden, he went on: “We had a very…sick country one year ago, and today I believe we’re the hottest country anywhere in the world.
“In fact, nobody’s even questioning it…but we owe so much of that to you.”
It’s considered against diplomatic protocol for a visiting head of state to make partisan or controversial political remarks during a speech at a state banquet – particularly when the monarch is present.
The President went on to make what could be seen as coded references to claims made by members of his administration that the UK is cracking down on freedom of speech.
And he made an apparently pointed reference to the union flag being “ever flown” – which could have been a reference to the current trend of flags being flown on lamp-posts which has divided opinion in the UK.
“The British empire laid the foundations of law, liberty, free speech and individual rights virtually everywhere,” Trump said.
“The Union Jack is ever flown, including in a place called America.”
Trump also described the Princess of Wales as “so radiant and so healthy”.
And he said: “His Majesty has also raised a remarkable son in His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales. Really amazing.
“We’ve gotten to know you and I think you’re going to have an unbelievable success in future.
“Melania and I are delighted to visit again with Prince William and to see Her Royal Highness, Princess Catherine, so radiant and so healthy, it’s so beautiful. It’s really a great honour, thank you.”
In his speech, the King joked about nearly being “married off” to the Nixon family.
Charles was referring to an occasion in 1970 when, then 21, he spent time with then-president Richard Nixon’s daughter Tricia at social occasions including a dinner and a baseball game.
He said: “For my part, I have always admired the ingenuity of the American people; and the principles of freedom which your great democracy has represented since its inception.
“Throughout my life, from my very first visit to the United States in 1970 and over 20 visits since that time, I have cherished the close ties between the British and American peoples.
“In fact, had the media succeeded in the 1970s in their own attempt at deepening the special relationship, I myself might have been married off within the Nixon family.”
Nixon served as president from 1969 until his resignation in 1974 as a result of the Watergate scandal.
Tricia Nixon married Harvard Law student Edward Cox in a White House Rose Garden ceremony in 1971, while Charles went on to marry Lady Diana Spencer in 1981.