Donald Trump appeared to take a swipe at Prince Harry in his state banquet speech, as he praised King Charles and Prince William in front of an array of guests
Donald Trump took a sly dig at Prince Harry during his state banquet speech this evening.
While discussing Prince William, Trump praised King Charles on raising a “remarkable son” – but did not mention his brother Harry. The US president spoke glowingly of the King, describing him as a “very, very special man”, and told Princess Kate, who was sitting next to him, that she was “so radiant and so healthy and so beautiful”.
Earlier in the day, Trump appeared to tell the Princess of Wales “you’re so beautiful, so beautiful” as she greeted him and the First Lady at Windsor Castle with the Prince of Wales at the start of the historic second state visit.
At the state banquet, Kate was seen wearing a couture creation by British designer Phillipa Lepley, with a striking full-length, champagne gold hand-embroidered Chantilly lace evening coat featuring a regal-looking high collar over a silk crepe gown.
In his prepared speech this evening, Trump also highlighted the deep ties between both nations, and told guests: “Seen from American eyes the word special does not begin to do it justice.“We’re joined by history and faith, by love and language and by transcendent ties of culture, tradition, ancestry and destiny.
“We’re like two notes in one chord or two verses of the same poem, each beautiful on its own, but really meant to be played together. The bond of kinship and identity between America and the United Kingdom is priceless and eternal. It’s irreplaceable and unbreakable and we are, as a country, as you know, doing unbelievably well.“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 and the footing that you gave us when we started.”
In his address, concluded moments before Trump began speaking, the King told of the “enduring bond” between the British and American people.
He said: “Our people have fought and died together for the values we hold dear. We have innovated, traded and created together, fuelling our economies and cultures through myriad forms of exchange. We have celebrated together, mourned together and stood together in the best and worst of times.”
He went on: “Today, our alliance spans every field of endeavour and shows vast potential for growth. The United Kingdom was your partner in the first trade deal of your Administration, Mr President, bringing jobs and growth to both our countries. And no doubt we can go even further as we build this new era of our partnership.
“Our two nations have an exceptional legacy of shared discovery. Together, we laid the foundations of nuclear science, mapped the human genome and built the internet, upon which all contemporary commerce, communication and defence is based.
“Together, our scientists and engineers are shaping the world of tomorrow, not least with new partnership agreements on technology, and the prosperity that stands to bring.”