King Charles and Queen Camilla landed in the US on Monday for their historic state visit, and it appears the Queen and First Lady Melania Trump have been getting along famously. The trip, the first since President George W. Bush hosted the late Queen Elizabeth in 2007, coincides with the 250th anniversary of American independence from Britain. The visit aims to celebrate the relationship between the two nations, which has recently felt strained due to the transatlantic divide over Ukraine and the Middle East.
So far, the rapport between President Donald Trump and the monarch has been positive. During a state dinner, Trump described the UK-US bond as 'friendship unlike any other on Earth,' while Charles 'prayed with all [his] heart that our alliance will continue to defend our shared values.'
Queen Camilla and Melania Trump Share a Laugh
It is not just the men who appear to be getting on. Queen Camilla and Melania Trump shared a humorous interaction on Tuesday as the royals arrived at the White House. According to forensic lip reader Nicola Hickling, the Queen was seated next to Melania on the South Lawn for their ceremonial welcome. The weather had taken a turn for the worse earlier in the day, but the rain cleared up for the formal event. However, while sitting down, the Queen reportedly commented that it was still 'rather wet.'
Melania agreed, replying: 'It certainly is.' After both shared a laugh, the lip reader revealed that Camilla added: 'We shall have soggy bottoms.' The British phrase and baking term, heavily used on The Great British Bake Off to describe an undercooked, damp, or doughy crust, reportedly stumped Melania. Hickling claimed she questioned: 'Soggy bottom?' to which they both broke out in smiles again.
Other Highlights of the State Visit
Elsewhere in the state visit, King Charles attended a closed-door meeting inside the Oval Office, joined by senior British and American officials, including UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and US Vice President JD Vance. The royal couple also joined the Trumps for afternoon tea at the White House and attended a British embassy garden party.
The visit comes days after the shooting at the White House correspondents' dinner on Saturday, where a Secret Service agent was shot but not seriously wounded. Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from California, has been charged with attempting to assassinate the President, along with two firearms offences. He appeared in court in Washington DC on Monday and did not enter a plea. If found guilty, he could face life in prison.
