The King and Queen’s state visit to the United States has concluded after four days that included meetings with Donald Trump, a trip to New York, and engagements in Virginia. The visit, one of the most anticipated royal tours, appears to have proceeded without major incident.
Farewell at the White House
King Charles and Queen Camilla visited the White House for a final farewell to President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the South Portico. President Trump praised the King, calling him "the greatest king in my book" as they posed for photos. The president has consistently lauded Charles throughout the visit, highlighting the UK’s historical ties with the US.
Addressing the Special Relationship
The trip occurred amid tensions in the UK-US special relationship, with Trump criticizing Prime Minister Keir Starmer for not supporting the US in Iran. However, Charles received 12 standing ovations during his historic speech to Congress, where he emphasized the importance of NATO and defending Ukraine, noting that the partnership between the US and UK is "more important today than it has ever been."
Trump's Comments on Starmer
When asked if the state visit would improve his relationship with Starmer, Trump said, "I can't give you an answer to that. Our relationship is very good, but that's another individual. We'll find out. But I like Keir Starmer very much, though I think he's made a tragic mistake on immigration and energy."
Breakthrough on Tariffs
In a positive development, Trump announced the removal of tariffs on Scottish whisky, crediting Charles and Camilla’s intervention. Mark Kent of the Scottish Distillers Association said distillers "can breathe a little easier." This move may vindicate Downing Street’s decision to send the King on what some viewed as a risky trip to repair the special relationship.
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