After being greeted by Prince Charles and Camilla, president Trump then met with the Queen, and last night they all participated in a state dinner at Buckingham Palace
US President, Donald Trump, and first lady, Melania Trump, kicked of their 3-day official state visit in the United Kingdom with an initial visit at Buckingham Palace on Monday morning, where they were greeted by Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall. After that, president Trump could be seen chatting with members of the Guard of Honor as the rest of the American delegation observed from a terrace the elaborate arrival ceremony.
Later on, the presidential couple had a private lunch with the Queen, after which they toured Westminster Abbey and participated in a wreath-laying at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior. The itinerary also included last night’s state dinner at the palace and upcoming D-Day commemoration ceremonies. During the state dinner, president Donald Trump hailed his host, Queen Elizabeth II, as a “great, great woman” in a toast. The Queen also greeted the president, reminding those in attendance of the “close and longstanding friendship” between the two countries:
“I am so glad that we have another opportunity to demonstrate the immense importance that both our countries attach to our relationship. [..] As we face the new challenges of the 21st Century, the anniversary of D-Day reminds us of all that our counties have achieved together. After the shared sacrifices of the Second World War, Britain and the United States worked with other allies to build an assembly of international institutions to ensure that the horrors of conflict would never be repeated.”
This would be the 75th anniversary of D-Day, and after the ceremonies that will be taking place on both sides of the English Channel, more exactly in Portsmouth and Normandy, the President will be staying at his coastal golf club, marking his first ever official state visit to Ireland.
However, the president’s state visit comes at a tumultuous time in British politics, with Prime Minister Theresa May due to step down on Friday. While the US president is facing a precarious situation himself, on one hand a fresh round of impeachment fervor back home and on the other hand, uncertainty on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, French President Emmanuel Macron being expected to use the 75th anniversary of the World War II battle that turned the tide on the Western Front, to call for strengthening the multinational ties the US president has frayed.
