Trump hails UK–US bond at Windsor banquet: ‘Two notes in one chord’President Donald Trump paid a glowing tribute to the UK–US relationship during a state banquet at Windsor Castle, declaring that the word “special does not begin to do it justice”.The US leader praised the King as a “very, very special man” and singled out both the Prince and Princess of Wales for warm mentions.Trump described the two nations as “two verses of the same poem… meant to be played together”, calling the alliance “priceless and eternal”.”Today, however, we celebrate a relationship between our two countries that surely neither Washington nor King George III could possibly have imagined.(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)”The ocean may still divide us, but in so many ways we are now the closest of kin.”The King, in turn, spoke of the “enduring bond” between the two nations, highlighting their transformation from historic enemies into “the closest of kin”, while also stressing his long-held concerns about the environment.The lavish evening, attended by figures such as Rupert Murdoch and golf legend Sir Nick Faldo, capped a day of military pageantry and royal welcomes for Trump’s second state visit to Britain.Outside, thousands marched in London in protest, some reviving the Trump baby blimp from 2019. Shweta Sharma18 September 2025 05:02ICYMI: Spectacular RAF flypast over Windsor for Trump’s UK state visitSpectacular RAF flypast over Windsor for Trump’s UK state visitKatie Hawkinson18 September 2025 05:00In pictures: Trump’s key cabinet members attend state banquetUS Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent walks to the state banquet with Dame Katherine Grainger, followed by White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (Getty Images)US Secretary of State Marco Rubio looks at President Donald Trump as they attend Wednesday’s state banquet (AP)Katie Hawkinson18 September 2025 04:30ICYMI: Trump called Kate ‘so radiant and so healthy’ as she glitters in gold at banquet dinnerThe Princess of Wales was hailed as “so radiant and so healthy and so beautiful” by Donald Trump as she glittered in gold at the state banquet.Kate wore 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.Trump made a point of referencing the princess, who announced at the start of the year that she was in remission from cancer, in his banquet speech, describing her as “so radiant and so healthy and so beautiful”.The princess sat next to the American leader at the banquet table and was seen smiling up at him as he delivered his speech.US President Donald Trump smiles at Britain’s Catherine, Princess of Wales during a State Banquet at Windsor Castle, in Windsor, on September 17, 2025, during the US President’s second State Visit. US President Donald Trump arrived in Britain for an unprecedented second State Visit, with the UK government rolling out a royal red carpet welcome to win over the mercurial leader (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)Trump also praised the Prince of Wales, saying: “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.”He added: “Melania and I are delighted to visit again with Prince William and to see Her Royal Highness, Princess Catherine, so radiant and so healthy, and so beautiful. It’s really a great honour, thank you.”Kate beamed as she stood and raised her glass to toast the president after he addressed the 160 guests in St George’s Hall.Britain’s Kate, Princess of Wales, smiles at the state banquet in Windsor Castle, England, on day one of U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump’s second state visit to the UK, Wednesday (AP)Kate’s delicate coat featured hand-embroidered roses with couched gold cording, accented with French knots and satin-stitched blooms, demonstrating her commitment to supporting British craftsmanship and creativity.Her earrings belonged to the late Queen and the princess opted for her go-to tiara the Lover’s Knot Tiara and wore her hair down and styled in waves.Earlier in the day, Trump appeared to tell future queen, Kate, “You’re so beautiful, so beautiful” as she greeted him and the First Lady Melania Trump at Victoria House with the Prince of Wales at the start of the historic state visit.Shweta Sharma18 September 2025 04:28Starmer to host Trump at Chequers amid £150bn US investment pledgeSir Keir Starmer is set to host Donald Trump at Chequers this afternoon as the US president continues his second state visit to Britain. The two leaders will be accompanied by leading technology CEOs, who are expected to take part in announcements of new tech partnerships, a US official said. The prime minister is seeking to spotlight a promised £150bn wave of American investment and a new UK–US “technology prosperity deal” focused on AI, even as questions swirl over what concessions Washington may expect in return.Talks on reducing steel tariffs appear to have stalled. (AP)Today’s joint press conference is shaping up as the most high-risk moment of the visit, with potential clashes on Middle East policy and questions about both governments’ links to Jeffrey Epstein.Trump was guest of honour at a Windsor Castle banquet last night, attended by the King and leading US tech chiefs including Sam Altman, Tim Cook and Jensen Huang.Shweta Sharma18 September 2025 04:03Preview: Trump to meet with StarmerUS President Donald Trump is set to meet with Sir Keir Starmer at Chequers on Thursday.The pair will view the Sir Winston Churchill archives before holding a bilateral meeting. Afterward, they’re expected to hold a press conference.President Donald Trump meets with Sir Keir Starmer in July 2025. They are set to hold a bilateral meeting on Thursday (REUTERS)Katie Hawkinson18 September 2025 04:00ICYMI: Prince William and Kate share unseen video of Trump’s state visitPrince William and Kate share unseen video of Trump’s state visitKatie Hawkinson18 September 2025 03:30Melania Trump and Princess Kate make bold fashion choices for their historic first outing togetherFirst Lady Melania Trump and the Princess of Wales are set to make history with their first joint outing together.The pair will travel to Frogmore Gardens on Thursday, marking their first solo outing without their respective spouses. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump is set to meet with Sir Keir Starmer at Chequers.Caitlin Hornik and Tom Murray have the story:Katie Hawkinson18 September 2025 03:00‘Joined by history and fate’: Trump and King Charles toast US-UK ‘kinship’ … and each other at lavish state banquetNearly 250 years after Americans cast off their colonial shackles by declaring independence from Great Britain, President Donald Trump on Wednesday hailed the deep historical and cultural ties between the United States and the United Kingdom as he capped a historic second state visit to the country at a banquet hosted by King Charles III.Andrew Feinberg18 September 2025 02:30In pictures: Demonstrators march through London to protest Trump visitA large group staged a protest in London on Wednesday as US President Donald Trump visited the UK (Getty)Stop Trump Coalition campaigners take part in a protest march in London on Wednesday (Lucy North/PA Wire)Katie Hawkinson18 September 2025 02:00
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Trump UK visit live: President hails ‘priceless and eternal’ US-British bond at lavish state banquet with King
