After moaning that he’d ‘had enough’ of seeing ‘beautiful things’ during his historic state visit to the United Kingdom, Donald Trump might put on a similar display for King Charles in Washington next year.
The monarch is set to travel across the pond to meet President Trump next year and mark the 250th anniversary of the United States.
It’s expected that the Americans will roll out the red carpet for the King, despite celebrating 250 years without British rule.
Trump will also likely give a tour to Charles around the White House – though he was quick to say that he won’t show off as many historic items to the King.
During his state visit this year, Trump joked, ‘You know what? I’m going to treat you to a state dinner, you can come to the US, and I’m not going to drag you around the Lincoln Memorial.
‘You can just have dinner and then go to bed.’
So much for the royal treatment.
What was Trump shown during his state visit?
Though the US leader moaned during his visit that he’d ‘had enough’ of seeing beautiful things – including a specially curated exhibition for Trump of all the historical items linked to the US.
One of the items was a message sent by Queen Victoria to President James Buchanan in 1858, praising their friendship.
There were also photos of Queen Elizabeth and King George VI with President Franklin D Roosevelt and his wife, Eleanor.
In a very American turn, Trump was shown a letter the Queen Mother wrote to her daughter, then Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II), about her visit to the US.
‘My darling Lilibet,’ the Queen Mother wrote.
‘We sat at little tables under the trees round the house, and had all our food on one plate – a little salmon, some turkey, some ham, lettuce, beans & HOT DOGS too!’
What could Trump show King Charles during his visit?
Trump might take a page or two from Charles and create something similar for him to enjoy.
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History has a permanent collection about the Revolutionary War, with plenty of material focusing on the British part of the conflict.
Plenty of British artefacts are inside the Smithsonian – including some linked to the royals. Trump might put them on display for Charles.
They’re also launching a special exhibit called ‘In Pursuit of Life, Liberty and Happiness’ to commemorate 250 years of America.
That exhibit will span over three floors and feature the desk Thomas Jefferson used to write the Declaration of Independence.
King Charles might also see the Resolute desk in the White House, made from the wood from the British Ship HMS Resolute. It was gifted to the United States.
A historic trip in the works
The transatlantic trip will be subject to the King being well enough, with the 77-year-old head of state currently undergoing treatment for cancer.
Charles was last in Washington, DC, for the funeral of former President George H.W. Bush in Washington, but he’s met many Presidents.
He is expected to be joined by his wife, Queen Camilla, for the landmark visit.
Buckingham Palace has yet to comment on the planned trip.
Charles has made more than a dozen overseas trips since becoming King, including state visits to France, Italy and Kenya.
Last month, he and the Queen both undertook a visit to the Holy See to meet Pope Leo XIV to mark the jubilee year of the Catholic Church.
As well as the planned state visit to the US next year, the King is also due to take a royal tour of Canada in 2026.
