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U.S. President Donald Trump delivers a speech during a state banquet at Windsor Castle on September 17, as King Charles III and Queen Camilla listen. / Source: Reuters-Yonhap

U.S. President Donald Trump on September 17 described his state banquet at Windsor Castle as “truly one of the greatest honors of my life,” becoming the first foreign leader to be invited twice for such an occasion. He added jokingly, “I hope I will be the last,” drawing laughter from the hall.

The lavish banquet took place in St. George’s Hall, with King Charles III and President Trump in white tie, while Queen Camilla and First Lady Melania Trump wore blue and yellow gowns. More than 160 dignitaries filled the long banquet table, including Prince William and Princess Catherine, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Tiffany Trump, as well as global business leaders such as Apple CEO Tim Cook, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.

The table was adorned with 139 candles and more than 1,400 pieces of silverware, featuring traditional British dishes, a 1912 cognac, and a 1945 port wine.

Welcoming Trump, King Charles said the visit “demonstrates the enduring partnership between our nations” and praised his efforts on global challenges, including the war in Ukraine. With a touch of humor, he referenced Trump’s golf resort in Scotland, remarking, “Britain has land good enough to build fine golf courses.”

Trump responded by calling the king a “very, very special person,” and likened U.S.-U.K. relations to “two notes in a chord—beautiful on their own but complete when together.”

Observers said the banquet carried political significance, signaling the new Starmer government’s intent to maintain a stable alliance with Washington. British media noted that Trump’s prepared and measured speech, free of off-script remarks, reassured officials seeking to avoid unnecessary diplomatic turbulence.

The Guardian wrote that Trump “displayed a surprisingly dignified and earnest tone,” while the Financial Times highlighted that the visit reaffirmed the durability of the “special relationship” between the two allies.

Analysts concluded that the evening was not merely a royal spectacle but a diplomatic stage reinforcing continuity in the transatlantic partnership, while also helping Trump project the image of a responsible statesman abroad and allowing the U.K. to present its new government as a steady steward of the alliance.