Donald Trump and his wife Melania met with King Charles and Queen Camilla at the White House on Monday. The reception took place on the South Lawn of the White House, and the dialogue between the American president and the British monarch proves particularly interesting. While there may not have been audio recording from the cameras, information was gathered through… lip reading: Expert Nicola Hickling told the Daily Mail that during the brief conversation, the US president referenced both the shootings at the White House correspondents’ dinner and concerning developments regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin.
What Trump said to Charles
“These shootings…” Trump reportedly said. “I’d rather not stand here too long,” the king reportedly replied. “I feel like I shouldn’t be here.” Trump reportedly asked King Charles if he was okay, adding: “It’s not a good thing.” “I wasn’t prepared, but now I’m prepared,” the US president also reportedly said.
Trump then changed the subject, telling the king he had been in contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “Well, right now I’m talking to Putin,” he reportedly said. “He wants war.” “We’ll discuss it later,” Charles reportedly responded. However, Trump continued: “I have the feeling… if he does what he said, he’ll wipe out the population.” The monarch again tried to change the subject. “Another time,” he said.
Trump and Charles’ conversation about the new White House ballroom
The US president then reportedly turned to a lighter topic: the plan for the new White House ballroom. “You can see straight from there,” he said. “To the ballroom. Would you like to see it?” he asked the king. The monarch appeared to laugh lightly. “I’m sure you’ll show it to us,” he replied. Trump responded: “Right, you’re correct.”
The king then asked where they were heading. “Where are we going?” he said. “We’re going this way,” Trump replied, leading them inside the White House. King Charles and Queen Camilla attended tea in the Green Room of the White House and then visited the renovated beehive located next to the White House kitchen garden, which was originally created by Michelle Obama in 2009. The new beehive resembles a miniature White House.
Afterwards, the royals traveled to the British Ambassador’s residence on Washington’s Embassy Row for a garden reception. The official program of King Charles’ visit includes today a grand welcome ceremony on the South Lawn followed by a formal dinner in the East Room of the White House.
Queen Camilla spoke with representatives of domestic violence organizations, highlighting the importance she places on these issues.
