Donald Trump and the Queen dined on steamed fillet of halibut with watercress mousse, followed by saddle of new season Windsor lamb with herb stuffing, at the state banquet held in Buckingham Palace on Monday. The menu, chosen from four alternatives presented to the Queen by royal chefs, also featured strawberry sable with lemon verbena cream for dessert, catering to President Trump's known sweet tooth.
The First Lady Melania Trump and four of the President's five children attended the banquet alongside senior members of the Royal family. Guests were served a variety of fine wines, including a 2014 English sparkling wine from Windsor Great Park and a pricier Chateau Lafite-Rothschild 1990, although President Trump, a teetotaller, abstained from alcohol. All dishes were handmade from scratch in the palace kitchens.
A total of 170 guests attended, including Prime Minister Theresa May, senior Cabinet ministers, and Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick. However, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Commons Speaker John Bercow, and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable boycotted the dinner in protest against Mr Trump's state visit. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan stated he was not invited but would not have attended even if he had been.
In a tweet ahead of the banquet, President Trump praised the Queen and the Royal family, described the London part of his trip as going 'really well,' and noted 'tremendous crowds of well-wishers.' He also suggested a big trade deal possible 'once the U.K. gets rid of the shackles.'
