King Charles makes cheeky joke during White House state dinner
King Charles made a cheeky joke teasing President Donald Trump during his speech at the White House state dinner on Tuesday (28.04.26) with the monarch quipping "if it wasn’t for us, you’d be speaking French."
King Charles teased President Donald Trump with a cheeky joke during a speech at the White House state dinner.
The monarch and his wife Queen Camilla attended the glitzy affair in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday (28.04.26) - held to mark the USA's 250th birthday - alongside President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump with Charles giving a speech to thank his hosts and the King started by toasting the leader and his late mother.
He said: "I can only imagine the immense pride with which your own dear mother, indeed both your parents, must be looking down on the great office to which you have been elected for a historic second term."
Charles went on to mention the renovations Trump has made to the White House and made a light-hearted reference to a British attack on the building, which was set on fire in 1814.
He said: "I cannot help noticing the ‘readjustments’ to the East Wing, Mr President, following your visit to Windsor Castle last year. I am sorry to say that we British, of course, made our own attempt at real estate redevelopment of the White House in 1814."
Charles went on to needle Trump over previous comments he made about Europe, joking: "Indeed, you recently commented, Mr. President, that if it were not for the United States, European countries would be speaking German.
"Dare I say that, if it wasn’t for us, you’d be speaking French ... Of course, we both love our French cousins greatly".
The joke drew laughs from the guests as well as Trump himself.
The King then presented the President with a golden bell from HMS Trump, a Royal Navy submarine which fought in the Battle of the Pacific during WWII, declaring it represents hope for future relations between the US and the UK, with the monarch saying: "May it stand as a testament to our nations' shared history and shining future".
He then joked: "And should you ever need to get hold of us, well, just give us a ring."
The dinner came after King Charles made a speech to Congress and he won praise from Trump, who applauded the monarch's efforts in a welcomed address prior to the state banquet.
Trump said of Charles' speech to Congress: "He made a great speech. I was very jealous."
During his toast at the dinner, Trump went on to say: "I want to congratulate Charles on having made a fantastic speech today at Congress. He got the Democrats to stand. I've never been able to do that."
Guests at the dinner included golfer Rory McIlroy, billionaire Jeff Bezos and outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook, and they were treated to a four-course menu which included a garden vegetable veloute, spring herbed ravioli and Dover sole meuniere while dessert was chocolate gateau in the shape of a beehive.
