Trump plans to invite King Charles to US after enthralling UK visit

Donald Trump is reportedly planning to invite King Charles III to the United States after being captivated by two days of ceremonial events in the UK, according to a senior White House official.

The US president departed for Washington on the evening of September 18 following engagements with the King at Windsor Castle and a meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Chequers.

“It was a really fantastic trip. The British know how to do this perfectly,” the official told The Telegraph. “They set the bar high for their trip to see us.”

Trump’s visit marked an unprecedented second state visit to the UK by an American president. Details of the planned invitation surfaced as he returned home on Air Force One.

Before leaving, Trump expressed gratitude to his hosts and praised the enduring US–UK bond.

“We’re grateful beyond words for the spectacular honour of the state visit yesterday at Windsor Castle, hosted by His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty, Queen Camilla,” Trump said. “These are two fantastic people. We will never forget it.”

On September 18, Trump and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer signed agreements committing US companies to invest £150 billion in the UK, along with deals on technological collaboration and nuclear energy projects. Sir Keir hailed the agreements as a renewal of “the special relationship for a new era.”

The state visit showcased the Royal Family prominently on Wednesday. Trump was chauffeured around Windsor Castle in the Irish State Coach, inspected an honour guard, and watched a Red Arrows flypast. That evening, 160 guests — primarily from political and business circles —attended a full state banquet in St George’s Hall.

In his banquet speech, Trump described the visit as “truly one of the highest honours of my life.” He later shared his enthusiasm with reporters aboard Air Force One.

“Everybody was great. Even the men looked beautiful,” he said. “It’s hard not to look beautiful in that room. That was one of the coolest rooms. That room was built for a table, but the table happened to carry 200 people.”

Next year marks the 250th anniversary of US independence, and the Trump administration reportedly intends to give the UK a prominent role in the celebrations. The White House official noted that plans for a royal visit are still in early stages.

King Charles’s mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, visited the US in 2007 during George W. Bush’s presidency. Bush famously blundered in his welcome speech, suggesting the Queen was over 200 years old.

“The American people are proud to welcome Your Majesty back to the United States, a nation you’ve come to know very well,” Bush said, adding, “After all, you’ve dined with 10 US presidents. You helped our nation celebrate its bicentennial in 1976,” which drew laughter from the crowd. The Queen responded with a look, prompting Bush to joke, “She gave me a look that only a mother could give a child.”

Days later, during a dinner at the British embassy in Washington, she smiled and quipped: “Mr President, I wondered whether I should start this toast saying, ‘When I was here in 1776,’ but I don’t think I will.”

By Tamilla Hasanova