President Donald Trump’s long-time admiration for the British royal family spans many years. Recently, he and First Lady Melania Trump were welcomed by Prince William and Kate Middleton at Windsor Castle during his second state visit to the UK as a guest of King Charles III.
During this visit, White House Deputy Press Chairman Anna Kelly remarked that the historical ties between the US and UK have been reinforced, particularly through Trump’s family connections to Scotland.
Kelly noted, “This visit allows the President to enhance relations with crucial allies while promoting shared economic and foreign policy goals.” She added that Trump anticipates discussions with King Charles, other royal family members, UK Prime Minister Kiel, and business leaders from both nations.
Interestingly, no other US president has enjoyed a second state visit. Trump’s first visit was back in 2019, hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Reflecting on his childhood memories, Trump recalled how his mother, Mary Anne McLeod Trump, was captivated by Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953. Trump, at six, chuckled about being annoyed during the ceremony because his mother was so engrossed in it.
Mary Trump was an immigrant from Scotland and the youngest of ten siblings who moved to the United States around 1930, eventually passing away in 2000 at the age of 88.
At a state banquet held at St. George’s Hall, the guests enjoyed Hennessy 1912 Cognac, coincidentally the same year as Trump’s mother’s birth. Before the banquet, Trump expressed that this visit felt like “one of the highest honors of my life.” He spoke about being the first US president to receive such a warm welcome, noting the significance of the gathering at Windsor.
Trump has consistently praised the royal family, reflecting positively during his various visits. He even described a past encounter in Scotland as involving “really amazing people.”
He remarked, “Britain is lucky. There are times when… I don’t know if I can say this, but there are times when people aren’t as great.” After the passing of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, he expressed deep admiration for her legacy, saying she had extensive influence on peace and stability in England.
Despite differing views on certain issues, Trump mentioned that he finds King Charles to be a “really great guy” and hopes for his good health, especially following the King’s health challenges in 2024. Their correspondence continues, with Melania revealing in 2024 that they still exchange letters.
Overall, Trump’s feelings toward the royal family seem to be a mix of genuine respect and personal warmth, creating a unique bridge between the two nations during his time in office and beyond.
