'Beautiful, British day': Takeaways from Charles' visit with Trump

It was a very British day in the United States.

King Charles III spent the second day of his four-day state visit tamping down concerns over the increasingly rocky relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom. He delivered a rare and historic speech to a joint session of Congress, reaffirming that the two nations were, in fact, united. 

The state visit, the most consequential of Charles' reign, commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and is the king's first U.S. trip since his coronation in 2023. The royals ended Tuesday, April 28, with a formal dinner where Charles and President Donald Trump exchanged toasts.

Here are the takeaways from His Majesty's historic visit:

‘A beautiful, British day’

Red coats took over the White House lawn. But don't worry, it wasn’t the British Army.

The "President’s Own" United States Marine Band, which wore red jackets and white pants, was among the entertainment welcoming Charles and Camilla to the White House.

The White House embraced some British traditions and highlighted English icons. Even Mother Nature brought a London-esque overcast to Charles and Camilla’s visit.

"What a beautiful, British day this is. And it really is,” Trump said in opening remarks. By that point, the rain had cleared up as gray clouds hung overhead. 

American flags and the Union Jack, the national flag of the United Kingdom, lined the steps leading to the portico balcony of the White House. 

The White House even had its own version of a high tea staple. 

Though the president hails from New York, known for its iconic bagels, the White House put out several pastries for an educational event on artificial intelligence attended by first lady Melania Trump and Camilla. 

On a tiered silver tray were cheddar cheese and sweet pepper sandwiches, lemon madeleines and, of course, scones. The scones were titled the "Queen’s Drop Scones." 

The first lady and queen walked around a tennis pavilion on the White House grounds to meet with students for the event. While some students tested VR headsets, others looked at glass-enclosed plates and statues, including a bust of Winston Churchill, Britain's iconic prime minister during World War II.

They also gazed at a painting of John Adams, leader of the American Revolution and the first U.S. ambassador to Great Britain − and the United States' second president.

The state of the bond is strong

Typically, when a leader addresses Congress, it’s the president of the United States who often proclaims, "The state of the union is strong."

But Charles delivered a rare address to a joint session of Congress, only the second time a British monarch has ever addressed Congress. Queen Elizabeth II addressed Congress in 1991. 

His Majesty gave his own update on the state of relations with the United States: It’s a bond that remains strong.

The speech came amid a major rift between the United States and the United Kingdom over a range of issues, from Trump’s tariff war, his dissatisfaction with NATO and the war with Iran, just to name a few.

"Ours is a partnership born out of dispute, but no less strong for it," Charles said. "So perhaps, in this example, we can discern that our nations are in fact instinctively like-minded – a product of the common democratic, legal and social traditions in which our governance is rooted to this day. Drawing on these values and traditions, time and again, our two countries have always found ways to come together."

Charles’ speech was sprinkled with jokes that drew laughs from Republicans and Democrats alike. But there were still notable party divides when it came to applause and standing ovations.

Democrats cheered on Charles' remarks stressing the importance of the NATO alliance and protecting the environment. Republicans were rowdier when His Majesty highlighted his Christian faith. 

Trump commended the address.

"He made a great speech. I was very jealous," Trump said as Charles and Camilla arrived at the White House for the state dinner. In a toast, Trump again praised the speech, even joking that Democrats liked Charles "more than they've ever liked any Republican or Democrat" after the king received several standing ovations.

The conflict of wars

A major point of contention in recent weeks between the United States and the United Kingdom? The Iran war.

Charles notably did not mention the war in Iran by name. The U.K. has said it does not want to be involved in the conflict. Instead, during his speech, Charles voiced support as a Christian for interfaith relationships at a time when the United States and Israel are at war in the Middle East.

"Having devoted a large part of my life to interfaith relationships and greater understanding, it is that faith in the triumph of light over darkness which I have found confirmed countless times," the king said to applause. "It is why it is my hope – my prayer – that, in these turbulent times, working together and with our international partners, we can stem the beating of ploughshares into swords."

But Charles did mention one country at war that needs help: Ukraine.

He called for continued support for the mutual defense of Ukraine, even as Trump has criticized NATO and halted direct U.S. aid to the country.

"Today, Mr. Speaker, that same unyielding resolve is needed for the defense of Ukraine and her most courageous people," he said, interrupted by applause. "It is needed in order to secure a truly just and lasting peace."

Though the king only made references to Iran, Trump, in his dinner toast, said Charles agreed that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon.

"We're doing a little Middle East work right now. We're doing very well. We have militarily defeated that particular opponent, and we're never going to let that opponent ever – Charles agrees with me even more than I do – we're never going to let that opponent have a nuclear weapon."

DC gala dinner attempted shooting referenced

There was an attempted attack on the United States’ leadership just days before Charles’ state visit. And the king said such acts "will never succeed."

"We meet, too, in the aftermath of the incident not far from this great building that sought to harm the leadership of your nation and to foment wider fear and discord. Let me say with unshakeable resolve: Such acts of violence will never succeed," Charles said in his address to Congress.

Two days before the king and queen were expected to arrive in the United States, there was an attempted attack outside the White House Correspondents' Association dinner. Trump, the first lady, Vice President JD Vance, and other top members of the president’s Cabinet were in the crowded ballroom. 

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, has been charged with trying to assassinate the president, transporting a firearm and ammunition across state lines with the intent to commit a felony, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.

Security for Charles and Camilla's state visit was reportedly reviewed after the shooting.

At the White House April 28, reporters asked how Melania Trump was doing after the attack. The president had described it as a “traumatic event” for the first lady.

"Very well, thank you," Melania Trump said.

During his toast at the state dinner, Charles also praised the president’s "own courage and steadfastness," as well as the swift action from the Secret Service.

"My thoughts and sympathies are very much with you, the first lady, and all those guests for whom this must have been a very upsetting incident," Charles said.

Don’t forget about the toast

It was a white tie affair. Tuxedos with tailcoats and floor-length gowns.

Bouquets of lilac, butterfly ranunculus, phlox and lily of the valley filled the center of the table like a garden. Tall candelabras helped create mood lighting. Tables were set with 250 pieces of vermeil from the White House collection, in addition to handcrafted ceramics by distinguished American artisans, including Ben Wolff. 

The menu was fit for a king, literally. The White House served Dover sole meunière ‒ a premium French fish dish ‒ as the main course. For dessert, a chocolate gâteau shaped like a beehive.

The guests weren’t just members of the president’s administration. Some of the United States’ leading (and wealthiest) tech giants, including Apple CEO Tim Cook and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, were there. Despite the president’s rocky relationship with some Supreme Court justices, all of the conservative members attended.

Even members of the sports world saw an invite to the coveted affair: golfer Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.

Trump mostly focused on his prepared remarks for his toast, with a few asides. He made McIlroy stand for applause for his Masters tournament win, which Trump said took "unconquerable courage."

The king, for his toast, sprinkled plenty of jokes to lighten the formal affair. He even gifted the president a bell from a World War II-era submarine called the HMS Trump − no relation to the president − but the king called it his "valiant namesake."

But even at the fanciest of dinners, a guest was seen capturing the historic moment of Charles walking into the East Room on their cellphone.

Contributing: Francesca Chambers, Zac Anderson, Karissa Waddick, Bart Jansen, Zachary Schermele and Joey Garrison