Trump hosts King Charles III for White House state dinner (full)

[0:09] Ladies and gentlemen, the president of the United States, Donald J. Trump, and First [0:14] Lady Melania Trump, accompanied by Their Majesties, King Charles III and Queen Camilla. [0:18] DONALD J. Thank you very much, please. [1:51] This is a great honor, and we welcome Their Majesties, King Charles III and Queen Camilla [2:01] of the United Kingdom to the White House, a very special place, very, very special. [2:07] And I also want to, before we really begin, I want to congratulate Charles on having made [2:14] a fantastic speech today at Congress. [2:17] He got the Democrats to say, and I've never been able to do that. [2:22] I couldn't believe it. [2:25] I couldn't believe it. [2:27] They liked him more than they've ever liked any Republican or Democrat, actually. [2:32] So I just want to thank you and congratulations. [2:34] It's not an easy thing to do. [2:36] That's a tough place. [2:37] It's a true privilege to have you here for this historic state visit. [2:43] Last fall, Melania and I had the pleasure of visiting Their Majesties at Windsor Castle, [2:50] a structure that's so beautiful and so long that it never seemed to end. [2:55] I looked down as a former real estate person. [2:58] And it just went on forever. [3:03] And it was built by a gentleman named William the Conqueror in the year 1070. [3:11] And I asked the king, I said, was he a nice man, William the Conqueror? [3:16] He said, I tend to doubt it. [3:17] I don't think so. [3:18] When they call you William the Conqueror, generally speaking, you're not going to be too nice. [3:23] But he must have been something because it was nothing like I've ever seen Windsor Castle. [3:29] But tonight in return, we are really doing something that's very special, preparing to [3:36] celebrate the 250th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence, a big time in our country, very [3:43] big time. [3:50] And it's only natural that Americans begin this commemoration by paying tribute to the [3:58] transcendent bond we share with the nation that Thomas Jefferson himself called our [4:04] mother country. [4:05] He used to go around saying, that's our mother country. [4:07] How nice. [4:08] From English towns and Scottish hills, from Welch mountains and Irish villages, a people unique [4:16] in history sailed across the mighty Atlantic to settle and civilize this continent in the [4:23] name of God, king and country. [4:27] So beautiful. [4:29] They called it New England and meant that very, very literally. [4:34] The first Americans saw themselves as free men carrying the forward and central liberties [4:41] and ancient rights of the Anglo-Saxons into this new and beautiful world. [4:48] In the eyes of America's founders, our war of independence was fought not to reject this [4:55] heritage but to reclaim it and perfect it. [5:00] As the founding father George Mason wrote, we claim nothing but the liberty and privileges [5:05] of Englishmen in the same degree as we had still continued among our brethren when we were [5:12] in Great Britain. [5:15] The Declaration of Independence was a miracle for the ages that sparked a far-reaching revolution [5:22] in self-government and human freedom. [5:26] But even though the political bonds between the United States and Great Britain were dissolved, [5:32] forever, they thought, on July 4th, 1776, the more powerful strands of memory, culture and [5:40] identity proved unbreakable in any conflict and grew into a friendship unlike any other [5:48] on Earth. [5:49] A very, very special and incredible friendship. [5:54] Historians have noted that to this day, the distinct regions of the United States still [6:00] echo with the particular accents, habits and traditions of the British communities that [6:06] first settled them centuries ago. [6:09] The names of half of the original American states refer to members of the British royal [6:15] family, as do American cities from Charleston to Annapolis, Charlotte to Albany, and even [6:23] the place where I grew up and actually loved very much, Queens, New York. [6:27] Who would have thought? [6:29] They're far beyond names and principles. [6:33] There's something unique and very special that has always united our two people, a certain [6:38] nobility of spirit and heroic soul. [6:43] The same audacity that called a small island kingdom to rule the seven seas and rule them [6:49] you did inspired the children of 13 American colonies to explore a great frontier and a very, [6:57] very dangerous frontier and settle what was known as the wild, wild west. [7:05] The men who planted the American flag on the moon carried them. [7:10] The same hunger for adventure and achievement as those who raised the Union Jack above Antarctica [7:18] and first sailed St. George's cross all around the globe. [7:23] The American soldiers who crossed the Atlantic to freedom, rescue in 1944 were moved by the [7:30] same keen sense of righteousness that drove the English crusaders to the Holy Land a thousand [7:38] years ago. [7:40] The entire world has been uplifted by this distinct and special character we share. [7:45] This unstoppable daring, this unconquerable courage, it really is, it's unconquerable. [7:53] And speaking of that, where's Rory McIlroy? [7:55] Can you stand up, Rory, will you please? [7:58] That was unconquerable courage. [8:00] That was very good, Rory. [8:05] I don't know if that helps them talk about how wonderful the speech, but I had to interrupt [8:13] my speech because I watched that man win a tournament that was, that was a tough, that [8:18] was a tough one. [8:19] Congratulations. [8:20] Very proud of you. [8:21] All right. [8:22] Now I'll get back to my speech, Rory. [8:23] Okay. [8:24] But it was, it was unconquerable courage, this inexhaustible supply of ambition, ingenuity [8:32] and resolve from the trenches of World War I to the beaches of Normandy, from the frozen [8:39] hills of Korea to the scorching sands of North Africa and the Middle East. [8:45] And we're doing a little Middle East work right now, too, if you might know. [8:48] And we're doing very well. [8:50] We have militarily defeated that particular opponent. [8:55] And we're never going to let that opponent ever, Charles agrees with me even more than [9:00] I do, we're never going to let that opponent have a nuclear weapon. [9:03] They know that and they've known it right now very powerfully. [9:10] But our countries have stood together, defiant and triumphant against the forces of communism, [9:15] fascism and tyranny. [9:18] Today we have expanded the reaches of human knowledge and endeavored always to make this [9:24] world safer, more prosperous, more just and more free. [9:30] Ours is a treasured friendship, an eternal bond and a true story of extraordinary heroism [9:37] and skill, a lot of skill, tremendous skill. [9:41] History has known no more powerful force than the combination of American patriotism and British [9:47] pride. [9:49] The British empire that began here in America certainly did not end here. [9:55] The sons and daughters of the British Isles went on to found more countries and spread more [10:00] civilization than any nation before. [10:02] They built an English speaking world upon which the sun never sets and provided an example to [10:10] which free people will always turn, always turn. [10:13] They have such love and such respect. [10:17] Today, most of Britain's former colonies have no idea what they truly owe to this towering legacy [10:24] of law, liberty and British custom that they were given. [10:29] We were given that and it was a great, great gift. [10:33] Tonight, on the eve of our 250th year of cherished independence, we turn to the sovereign embodiment [10:40] of our British heritage and say sincerely thank you to our friends, the United Kingdom for [10:47] the richest inheritance that any nation has ever given to another. [10:52] May our two countries stand together forever for liberty, for justice and for the glory of [10:58] God. [11:00] Ladies and gentlemen, I offer a toast to 250 years of American freedom and very importantly [11:07] to a great man, his majesty, King Charles the third. [11:11] Thank you very much. [11:12] Sir president, first lady, my wife and I are most grateful to you for your generous hospitality [12:11] as the United States celebrates this very special anniversary year of the declaration of independence. [12:19] And may I also just start by paying tribute to your own courage and steadfastness as well [12:28] as to your security services for their swift actions on Saturday evening in preventing [12:34] further injury. [12:37] My thoughts and sympathies are very much with you, the first lady and all those guests for [12:52] whom this must have been a very upsetting incident. [12:56] As the words of that famous anthem remind us, this is the land of the free and home of the [13:03] brave, as your own response demonstrates. [13:08] What used to be called in the last war in the United Kingdom, keep calm and carry on. [13:17] I now realise, ladies and gentlemen, to my amazement that my first visit to this remarkable country [13:25] was over 50 years ago. [13:27] And, Mr. President, the golden threads of history and heritage between our lands are also embodied, [13:33] as you mentioned earlier today, in your own family and your own family story whose roots [13:40] trace back to the beautiful landscapes of Britain's outer Hebrides and continue, as we know, in the [13:48] great golf courses of the Highlands. [13:51] I can only imagine the immense pride with which your own dear mother, indeed both your parents, [14:00] must be looking down on the great office to which you have been elected for a historic second term. [14:09] But if I may say so, it is a particular pleasure to be back in this wonderful building, the [14:14] heart of your democracy. [14:17] On this occasion, I cannot help noticing the readjustments to the East Wing, Mr. President, [14:27] following your visit to Windsor Castle last year. [14:30] And I'm sorry to say that we British, of course, made our own small attempt at real estate redevelopment [14:37] of the White House in 1814. [14:39] Anyway, I am so glad we have an opportunity, an important opportunity at this critical time, [14:52] to renew those bonds of history and friendship between our nations and our peoples. [14:58] Two and a half centuries ago, the United States of America was founded through an audacious and [15:04] visionary act of self-determination. [15:08] From the beginning, the American character has been defined by courage, tenacity and the [15:14] spirit of adventure. [15:17] As the direct descendant of King George III, I know this is a nation that never gives up. [15:26] And my family's history remains reflected in your maps, which read rather like our Christmas [15:32] card list across the ages. [15:35] North and South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and the cities of Charleston, a particular favourite [15:44] of mine, obviously, Georgetown, and for that matter, Georgia, Annapolis, as you mentioned, [15:55] and further favourites, Prince William County and Williamsburg. [16:01] This said, our French friends can feel equally at home with a glance at a map. [16:08] Indeed, you recently commented, Mr. President, that if it were not for the United States, European [16:14] countries would be speaking German. [16:17] Dare I say that if it wasn't for us, you'd be speaking French? [16:20] Of course, we both love our French cousins greatly. [16:37] And we three estates are not only bound by our shared values, but by a profound belief [16:42] that together we are more than the sum of our purse. [16:46] Out of the fires of a bitter and bloody revolutionary war, the triumph of the father of this country, [16:53] George Washington, and his fellow founders, was to forge a democracy founded upon the rights [17:00] to liberty and the rule of law. The story of Britain and America is one of reconciliation [17:09] from adversaries to the closest of allies, not always perhaps following the straightest [17:14] path. As you said yourself, Mr. President, during your own state visit at Windsor Castle [17:19] last year, ours is an unbreakable bond of history and heritage, culture and commerce, industry [17:26] and invention. And we are determined to face the future together. [17:33] Tonight we are here to renew an indispensable alliance which has long been a cornerstone [17:38] of prosperity and security for both British and American citizens. Our people have fought [17:46] and fallen together in defence of the values we cherish across the ocean and from coast to [17:54] coast we have traded, innovated and created together. We've stood together through the best [18:02] and worst of times. However, the challenges we now face from those who wish us harm across [18:09] the world, to balancing the risks and opportunities of powerful new technologies, to the threats [18:16] to the very international rules that have allowed us to trade and have kept power in balance for [18:21] 80 years. Those challenges encourage us to reaffirm tonight the basis on which our partnership [18:27] has been built. And yes, we have had our moments of difficulty even in more recent history. [18:36] When my mother visited in 1957, not the least of her tasks was to help put the special back [18:43] into our relationship after a crisis in the Middle East. Nearly 70 years on, it is hard to imagine anything [18:50] like that happening today. But it is not hard to see how important the relationship remains in matters both seen and unseen. [19:01] My mother's first Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill, understood this so well. But then he himself was half American, a tradition of shared transatlantic heritage, which I am pleased to say is alive and well in the White House today. [19:19] Indeed, such was the closeness that Sir Winston, while staying here in the White House, in those rooms you showed us upstairs, emerged naked from the bathtub to discover the door opening as President Roosevelt came in for a chat. [19:35] With rapier wit, the President cast aside any embarrassment by declaring that the Prime Minister has nothing to conceal from the President of the United States. [19:47] This war came after testing times between our leaders in the early 1940s. The kinship and friendship of many centuries provided great reassurance to my late grandfather, King George VI, as he did to my late mother. [20:07] It means every bit as much to me. Of course, my late mother met fewer than 13 serving presidents. Thankfully, all of them fully clothed. [20:22] The first President I had the honour of meeting at the age of 10 in 1959 when he came to Balmoral was President Eisenhower, who had served as Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces during World War II at a most critical time in the darkest days of the 20th century. [20:39] American leadership helped rebuild a shattered continent playing a decisive role as a defender of freedom in Europe. [20:50] We and I shall never forget that, not least as freedom is again under attack following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. [21:00] Today, our partnerships in NATO and AUKUS deepen our technological and military cooperation and ensure that together we can meet the challenges of an increasingly complex and contested world. [21:15] And speaking of submarine alliances, there was one particular AUKUS predecessor, launched from a UK shipyard in 1944, that served for the majority of her life, attached to the fourth submarine squadron in Australia, playing a critical role during the war in the Pacific. [21:40] Her name, HMS Trump. So tonight, Mr. President, I am delighted to present to you as a personal gift, the original bell which hung on the conning tower of your valiant namesake. [22:00] May it stand as a testimony to our nation's shared history and shining future. [22:09] And should you ever need to get hold of us or just give us a ring? [22:15] For 250 years, the ingenuity and the imagination of the people of the United States have been an inspiration to the world. [22:36] This land of opportunity has nourished some of humanity's greatest minds from the industrial age to the space age. [22:44] So many miracles of the modern world have been and still are invented in America. [22:48] Indeed, we have followed the voyage of Artemis II, or Artemis II, as my family and I might like to call her, with close attention. [22:58] Now, I know you have big plans for the moon, Mr. President, but I have actually checked the papers and I rather suspect it is already part of the Commonwealth, I'm afraid. [23:08] Ladies and gentlemen, on this visit, on this week's visit, I look forward to meeting the people and communities of this dynamic country, [23:19] including celebrating some of the work of my King's Trust, which it has been doing in these communities, [23:25] helping give young people the chance to succeed across America in this year when we mark 50 years of the Trust, can you believe it? [23:33] Every year, millions of Britons journey to this remarkable country to experience its glorious national parks, soaring mountains and ancient forests. [23:44] From the peaks of the Pacific Northwest to the rugged shores of the Atlantic, from the vast expanses of the West to the sweeping prairies and canyons, [23:53] the natural beauty of this land is found in every corner. [23:56] And in sport, in just a few weeks, the United States and Canada will be among those to welcome the world as hosts of the FIFA World Cup. [24:06] So in one sense, Mr. President, as heads of state, we are joint hosts. [24:12] We call this game, by the way, football, Mr. President. [24:18] And I can only say, as the head of state of five competing countries, I will be watching the matches closely with great enthusiasm. [24:26] After all, we always like favourable odds. [24:30] So this city, Washington DC, is the home of more Shakespeare folios than anywhere in the world. [24:35] Eighty-two copies are carefully preserved and shared at the Folger Library. [24:41] And at this time, when the search for peace in the world is more critical than ever, [24:45] I can only turn to Shakespeare's genius to remind us of the plea for peace spoken by the Duke of Burgundy at the conclusion of Henry V. [24:55] My speech entreats that I may know why gentle peace should not bless us with her former qualities. [25:04] Thank you, Mr. President and Mrs. Trump, for your splendid dinner this evening, which, may I say, is a very considerable improvement on the Boston Tea Party. [25:17] So, whether your cup contains tea, wine, Scotch whisky, bourbon, or even cola, let us raise our glasses and voices as we toast the past, the present, and the future of our two proud and allied nations. [25:39] To the United States and the United Kingdom, God bless both our countries. [25:46] Thank you very much. Thank you. [25:50] Thank you. [25:55] Thanks, Mr. President. [26:00] Thank you. [26:06] Thank you. [26:10] Please, thank you.