What was meant to be a night of pageantry and poise at Windsor Castle turned into a subtle display of tension as President Donald Trump addressed British royalty. While some praised his speech, others focused on what he omitted and the reactions of the royals. On the evening of Wednesday, September 17, President Trump delivered a ceremonial speech during a state banquet at St George’s Hall, Windsor Castle, in front of 160 guests. Standing before King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Princess Kate, Trump combined soaring historical references with personal praise, calling the invitation “one of the highest honors” of his life.
He expressed gratitude to the hosts, saying, “Your Majesty, Melania and I are deeply grateful to you and Queen Camilla for your extraordinary graciousness. And to William and Kate, thank you so much. It’s been so great being with you today.” The President then praised King Charles for his environmental and cultural efforts, crediting him with restoring Britain’s natural beauty and heritage. He described how the King had greeted nearly 150 people by name earlier in the day, joking about some having “bad names,” leaving the audience unsure whether to laugh or wince.
Trump referenced Charles’s 1993 letter expressing his desire “to put the great back into Great Britain” and lauded the King’s dedication to his country, calling it an “amazing calling” that Charles had answered fully. He also highlighted the global influence of British culture, mentioning literary greats like Shakespeare, Dickens, Tolkien, and Orwell.
Trump praised Britain’s legacy, including the Magna Carta and scientific achievements, connecting it to the foundations of law and liberty in the United States. “The British Empire laid the foundations of law, liberty, free speech, and individual rights everywhere the Union Jack has flown — including America,” he said with a smile.
He toasted the “special relationship” between the two nations, describing them as “two notes in one chord or two verses of the same poem.” Trump concluded by honoring King Charles and Queen Camilla and expressing appreciation for the strong friendship between the countries.
Trump also complimented Prince William and Princess Kate, calling William “a remarkable son” and praising Kate as “radiant, healthy, and beautiful.” Notably, he did not mention Prince Harry or Meghan Markle, an omission that sparked speculation and debate online.
Social media quickly reacted to the speech and royal responses. Some noted King Charles appeared uncomfortable, while others highlighted Queen Camilla’s side-eye at Kate. Comments ranged from amused to serious, with many interpreting the facial expressions as telling.
Body language expert Judi James observed that despite some protocol missteps, King Charles showed warmth and deference. She described moments where Charles acted like an anxious parent awaiting Trump’s arrival and noted Camilla’s subtle correction when Charles left the Queen and First Lady behind during introductions.
James explained that Charles’s gestures suggested he approved of Trump despite bending traditional protocol. Another expert, Inbaal Honigman, said the King looked uneasy at times, especially during a troop inspection, but recovered quickly and offered reassuring touches to Trump.
Throughout the visit, small gestures and subtle interactions revealed more than the formal ceremony. Prince William’s simple introduction of his father to Trump, the handshake with a warm touch on the arm, and the carriage procession were all carefully observed. In the end, it was these nuanced moments — the awkwardness, expressions, and unspoken signals — that captivated viewers and dominated online discussions long after the formal events concluded.
