Donald Trump Gives a Speech During a State Banquet While on His Visit to the UK
As President Donald Trump addressed a chamber full of British royalty at Windsor Castle, tensions subtly simmered behind the royal grins that were supposed to be a night of grandeur and grace. His speech was praised by certain internet users. Others focused on his omissions and the royals’ reactions.
On the evening of Wednesday, September 17, in front of 160 guests, President Donald Trump gave a ceremonial speech at a state banquet held in St George’s Hall within Windsor Castle.
The U.S. leader, who referred to the invitation as “one of the highest honors” of his life, wavered between lofty historical language and eloquent personal appreciation while standing in front of King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Princess Kate.
“Your Majesty, Melania, and I are deeply grateful to you and Queen Camila for your extraordinary graciousness,” Trump added in his thank-you statement to the hosts. And a huge thank you to Kate and William. We’ve had a terrific time together today. Many thanks. Thank you.”
The King’s flattery
The President turned his attention to King Charles III’s cultural and environmental initiatives, praising him for protecting Britain’s legacy and restoring its natural beauty.
“He’s dedicated himself to preserving the glory and unique character of this kingdom, restoring life to the rivers and streams, supporting the works of its artists and composers, planting trees and gardens in its countryside,” Trump said with a theatrical flourish.
The King had earlier in the day met around 150 persons by name, he said, illustrating Charles’s extraordinary attention to detail.
He made a joke that left people unsure whether to laugh or cringe. “Some of them had bad names like XYZ-Q3, and he knew every one of them, or at least I think he did, because nobody was complaining,” he said.
Trump referenced a stirring letter the monarch penned in 1993 as he hailed Charles’s lifelong dedication to national pride near the end of his speech. According to the then-prince, he was “entirely motivated by a desperate desire to put the great back into Great Britain.”
Charles’s soaring praise with a dash of American swagger
“In the finest tradition of British sovereigns, he has given his whole heart, everything he’s got to those parts of Britain that are beyond the realm of mere legislation,” said Trump. “Defining its essence, virtue, harmony, and soul is difficult, but it’s necessary. It’s a wonderful calling, and no one has ever responded to it as well as you have.
The President then invoked the influence of British culture over the world and became philosophical. He remarked, pausing for impact, “A fifth of all humanity speaks, writes, thinks, and prays in the language born on these isles and perfected in the pages of Shakespeare and Dickens and Tolkien, Lewis, Orwell, and Kipling,” while the camera remained on Queen Camilla.
After giving Britain credit for introducing the globe to “the Magna Carter, the modern parliament, and Francis Bacon’s scientific method,” he added further historical weight by enumerating prominent thinkers like “Locke, Hobbes, Smith, Burke, Newton, and Blackstone.”
He made a direct connection between this legacy and the United States with a flourish. “Almost everywhere the Union Jack has ever flown, including a nation called America, the British Empire established the fundamentals of law, liberty, free expression, and individual rights. “Don’t you know that place very well?” he said.
‘Two Verses of the Same Poem’ A Toast Trump turned to the “special relationship” between the two countries. “We’re joined by history and fate, by love and language, and by transcendent ties of culture, tradition, ancestry, and destiny,” he stated. “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.”
“On behalf of all Americans, I offer a toast to one of the great friendships, to two great countries, and to His Majesty, King Charles III, a very, very special man and also a very, very special queen,” Trump said as he raised his glass to conclude. Many thanks. Thank you. Many thanks. Being with you is truly a privilege.
William and Kate Received Lavish Praise, But Was There Something Missing?
“But I just want to say that His Majesty has also raised a remarkable son and His Royal Highness, Prince of Wales,” the president said, praising Prince William. Truly fantastic. After getting to know you, I have no doubt that you will achieve extraordinary success in the future.
He then addressed the Princess of Wales, surprising many with his eloquent compliments. The president said, “Melania and I are thrilled to be visiting Prince William once more and to witness Her Royal Highness Princess Katherine’s radiant, healthy, and stunning appearance. It’s an incredible honor.
Notably, neither Prince Harry nor Meghan Markle were mentioned—a glaring absence that sparked discussion and conjecture on social media.
Social Media Is Ablaze With Responses
Neither social media nor viewers missed a beat. Someone said, “The King was uncomfortable there,” on Instagram. “Take a look at King Charles!” said another. Trying not to chuckle. “Love the face on King Charles,” a third person said. It said it all 😂😂😂😂,” but someone else added, “Charles doesn’t seem really impressed. His smile fades.
Queen Camilla was also subject to investigation. X viewer “Camilla with the side eye…lol,” wrote. “The Queen’s face says it all,” said another. Someone else deadpanned, “Camilla’s face says it all,” while another said, “Camilla isn’t good at controlling her expressions.”
One more remark that went viral said, “The expression on Camilla’s face is priceless! 😂🤣😂ðŸ˜ðŸ˜‚🤣😂.” The tone of some comments became more somber. One person wrote, “King Charles must have felt very uncomfortable!” Another person wrote, “But the king looks like he’s in tears.”
Experts in Body Language Interpret the Drama Behind the Scenes
Despite procedural blunders, body language expert Judi James said the King’s actions appeared to convey affection. She told the Daily Mail that “He’s seen peering through an open balcony door like an anxious parent, propping it with one hand as he waits impatiently for Trump’s helicopter to land.”
She pointed out that Charles overlooked the Queen and First Lady in his haste to welcome Trump. “Charles walked Trump over to meet his private secretary, unintentionally leaving both the Queen and the First Lady standing behind,” James said.
The occasion was saved by Queen Camilla, who gave Charles a tap on the arm in what James described as “an almost unprecedented public correction gesture.”
As Camilla welcomed Melania Trump into the gathering for a round of formal introductions, Charles shifted, broadening his position to accommodate everyone.
There was no sense of regal arrogance in King’s reception of Trump.
James observed that the King deviated from conventional etiquette by displaying warmth and deference through his body language. “The King’s response to this very familiar-looking greeting ritual suggests approval despite the way that it bends the rules in terms of traditional protocol,” she continued.
“He’s lowered his head in an act of ‘submission’ here, and the crinkling around his eye suggests he is beaming with pleasure,” said the specialist in body language. “He also has one hand behind his back, all of which would suggest there’s no air of regal haughtiness here as he is ‘love-bombed’ by the President.”
Expert Notes Trump’s Ignorance and King’s Unease
Inbaal Honigman, another body language specialist, provided an alternative perspective. During the visit, King Charles appeared “clearly uneasy” at times, she told LADbible. During the troop inspection, she identified a procedure error.
“The monarch smoothes down his tie, which may indicate anxiety. Now, he’s unsure about what to do. He must choose between correcting Trump and possibly embarrassing him or complying with what would be a procedure violation, Honigman said.
Adding that Charles “shifted his weight from side to side” in apparent pain, Trump was “entirely oblivious,” she said. However, the King bounced back fast and put a comforting hand on Trump’s back. “At the end of their stroll, Charles places a friendly hand on Trump’s back once or twice more, putting him at his ease,” she said.
Little Actions, Huge Impact: The Real Wonder of Trump’s Royal Visit
Outside Victoria House earlier that day, Prince William introduced the President to his father, stating, “This is my father.” After waving, Charles moved to stand next to Queen Camilla.
Before the families rode in a carriage parade across Windsor Estate, the two leaders shook hands, with Trump briefly but noticeably putting his hand on Charles’s arm.
Long after the last toast was said, the internet’s attention was captured by the unguarded emotions, awkward exchanges, and subtle gestures, despite the glitzy formality and meticulously planned moments.
