Donald Trump has revealed his mother had a crush on 'cute' young King Charles in an awkward exchange at the White House. The King's visit seems to have done wonders healing any rift in the special relationship with Trump, gushing about what an honour it is to host the royals for the USA's 250th birthday.
Standing at a podium decorated with the presidential seal, Trump called King Charles a 'very elegant man'. He said: 'Any time the Queen was involved in the ceremony or anything, my mother would be glued to the television, and she'd say "Look, Donald, look how beautiful that is". She really did love the family but I also remember her saying very clearly, "Charles, look young Charles, he's so cute". My mother had a crush on Charles,' he said, turning back to a smiling King. 'Can you believe it, amazing how… I wonder what she's thinking right now?'
King Charles could only laugh along in front of the global media greeting him on the White House lawn. Trump got even more laughs when he spoke about his mother moving to the US from Scotland at 19 and meeting his father, Fred. 'They were married for 63 years and uh… excuse me, if you don't mind,' turning to Melania. 'That's a record we won't be able to match darling. I'm sorry, just not going to work out that way. We will do well but we're not going to do that well.' Melania stared straight ahead stoically.
The president said: 'Honouring the British king might seem an ironic beginning to our celebration of 250 years of American independence, but, in fact, no tribute could be more appropriate. Long before Americans had a nation or a constitution, we first had a culture, a character and a creed. Before we ever proclaimed our independence, Americans carried within us the rarest of gifts, moral courage, and it came from a small but mighty kingdom from across the sea. For nearly two centuries before the revolution, this land was settled and forged by men and women who bore their souls, the blood and noble spirit of the British here on a wild and untamed continent. They set loose the ancient English love of liberty and Great Britain's distinctive sense of glory, destiny and pride.'
Trump continued saying it was a 'tremendous privilege to host' the King and Queen and called the King a 'very elegant man'. Trump also paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth, calling her a 'very special woman'. Of the relationship between the UK and the US, the president said: 'We see today a living symbol of this centuries-old bond. Just a few dozen feet to the left where I stand – there her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth, an incredible woman who I had the privilege of getting to know. Queen Elizabeth the Second, a very, very special woman who is very greatly missed on both sides of that mighty Atlantic, long ago planted a young tree. It was a very young and beautiful tree and look at it now.'
In the speech, he hailed the 'Special Relationship' under strain since the Iran War, adding: 'Americans have had no closer friends than the British. We share that same root. We speak the same language. We hold the same values, and together, our warriors have defended the same extraordinary civilisation under twin banners of red, white and blue.'
The King and US President Donald Trump were accompanied by the Commander of the Troops to inspect the Guard of Honour. As they walked down the steps to the lawn, Trump gestured with his hand to let the King go first. They walked briskly past the troops across the damp grass amid the rainy weather. The King and Queen arrived on the South Lawn of the White House for the ceremonial welcome on the second day of their state visit to the US. The King stepped from his car to be met by Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, who was wearing one of her trademark wide-brimmed hats.
Ahead of the lavish ceremony, Donald Trump claimed he had always wanted to move into Buckingham Palace after an investigation found he could be related to the Royal Family. Research published in the Daily Mail claims that both Donald Trump and King Charles may be related through the same Scottish nobleman, the 3rd Earl of Lennox. The study suggests that this shared ancestry could make them very distant cousins, reportedly around 15 generations apart. 'Wow, that's nice. I've always wanted to live in Buckingham Palace!!! I'll talk to the King and Queen about this in a few minutes!!! President DJT.'
