Melania Trump expressed her genuine feelings about King Charles and Queen Camilla’s official visit in just three words. The royal couple’s arrival in Washington DC on Monday marked the beginning of their three-day trip to the United States, where they were warmly greeted by US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump outside the iconic South Portico of the White House. Despite a shooting incident in Washington DC over the weekend, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the visit would proceed as planned.
Following a security incident involving Cole Allen at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, the King expressed great relief that President Trump was unharmed. The Palace affirmed that the state visit would continue with minor adjustments to the schedule. During their meeting on Monday, the royals shared smiles with the president and first lady, engaging in a tea gathering and a garden party attended by various guests, including Team GB diver Tom Daley.
A lip reader, Jeremy Freeman, provided insight into Melania Trump’s conversation with King Charles during their meeting outside the White House. Melania’s response of “So pleased to see you” and her succinct three-word comment “I’m really delighted” regarding the state visit were noted. As the two couples posed for photographs outside the White House, Trump’s gesture of tapping the King on the shoulder, though breaking royal protocol, was seen as a friendly and possibly political gesture.
Later today, King Charles will deliver a speech to the US Congress, making him the second monarch to do so after his mother in 1991. Both the King and President Trump will address a dinner event, with the King scheduled to visit the 9/11 memorial on Wednesday. The official farewell between the royal couple and the Trumps is planned for Thursday before the King’s departure to Bermuda, where he also serves as head of state.