A table the size of an Olympic pool, an exclusive menu, and praise at Charles III's dinner for Trump.
US President Donald Trump and King Charles III exchanged pleasantries during their opening remarks at the state banquet held to mark the start of the US president's official visit to the United Kingdom on Wednesday.
"It is a singular privilege to be the first American president to be welcomed here," Trump began his speech, noting that "it is truly one of the greatest honors" of his life.
He then continued with a long list of praise for the British monarch and his love for his country: "He has given his terrible heart with everything he has to those parts of Great Britain that are beyond the scope of mere legislation," Trump noted.
The American also praised the United Kingdom, pointing to one of its closest partners: "The bond of kinship and identity between the United States and the United Kingdom is priceless and eternal; it is irreplaceable and unbreakable," said Donald Trump.
The US president also said one of his most repeated phrases: "And as a country, as you know, we're doing incredibly well. A year ago we had a very sick country, and today I think we're the sexiest country in the world."
For his part, Charles III praised the president's "personal commitment to finding solutions to some of the world's most intractable conflicts," without mentioning any in particular.
"As tyranny once again threatens Europe, we and our allies stand together in support of Ukraine to deter aggression and ensure peace," the monarch declared during his speech, emphasizing the two countries' efforts to maintain "the closest defense, security, and intelligence relationship ever known."
The king emphasized the strong relationship between the two countries since the independence of the United States to the present day, including their collaboration during the World Wars. He even joked that if the press rumors about an alleged affair with Richard Nixon's daughter in the 1970s had been true, this "special relationship" would have strengthened even further.
"This unique and important occasion reflects the enduring bond between our two great nations, cemented by the profound friendship between our peoples (...) We have celebrated together, wept together, and stood together through the best and worst of times," Charles III said.
He also noted the fact that Trump has set foot on British soil twice in the last two months—visiting Scotland in late July—and joked that "British soil makes a splendid golf course."
Trump and Charles II sat in the middle of the table, flanked by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Princess Catherine of Wales, respectively, while on the other side of the table sat Queen Melania Trump, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Prince William.
Also seated at a table the length of an Olympic-sized swimming pool and lit by 139 chandeliers were 160 guests, including Starmer, other prominent figures from the political and royal circles, and business leaders including Apple CEO Tim Cook ; media mogul Rupert Murdoch; Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang; and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
The menu included a cress panna cotta and Hampshire quail's eggs with a Parmesan biscuit as a starter; a courgette-wrapped organic Norfoll chicken ball with a thyme-infused jus as a main course; and a vanilla ice cream bombe with Kentish raspberry sorbet and lightly poached plums for dessert.
Although Trump doesn't drink alcohol, the state banquet featured a 1945 Warre's Vintage Port in honor of Trump as the 45th and 47th president; a 1912 Hennessy cognac, the year his Scottish mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, was born; and Pol Roger champagne, a favorite of Winston Churchill, among others.
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