Trump Says King Charles and Queen Camilla Have Been 'Friends of Mine for a Long Time' Before Arriving for U.K.
- - Trump Says King Charles and Queen Camilla Have Been 'Friends of Mine for a Long Time' Before Arriving for U.K. State Visit
Meredith KileSeptember 16, 2025 at 11:21 PM
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HRIS JACKSON/POOL/AFP via Getty I
(L to R) Queen Camilla, King Charles, President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump -
President Donald Trump traveled to London on Tuesday, Sept. 16, for an official state visit with the British royal family
Before lifting off for his six-hour flight, Trump told reporters that he was looking forward to seeing his "friends" King Charles and Queen Camilla
Trump previously visited with the late Queen Elizabeth during his first term in 2019
President Donald Trump says he's looking forward to his upcoming state visit events in the United Kingdom.
The president spoke with reporters outside the White House on Tuesday morning ahead of his six-hour flight to London. Though they have now arrived in the U.K., he and first lady Melania Trump will be formally welcomed on Wednesday morning by Kate Middleton and Prince William before sitting down with King Charles and Queen Camilla.
"They're friends of mine for a long time, since before he was King," Trump said of King Charles and Queen Camilla at the White House on Tuesday. "And it's an honor to have him as King."
"I think he represents the country so well. He's such an elegant gentleman," the president raved.
TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty
Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth and Donald and Melania Trump watch a fly past to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day on June 5, 2019
King Charles invited Trump for a second state visit to the U.K. in a letter given to the president by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in February. A formal letter of invitation for the state visit — signed by the King himself and known as a "manu regia" — was hand-delivered to the White House by British officials in Washington, D.C., back in June.
A palace aide said at the time, "His Majesty has known President Trump for many years and looks forward to hosting him and the first lady later this year."
Trump's second official state visit is unprecedented for a U.S. president. He previously visited the late Queen Elizabeth in 2019 during his first term.
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However, not everyone is thrilled about the upcoming visit.
Ahead of the Trumps' arrival, a British activist group called Everyone Hates Elon unfurled a massive banner featuring an image of Trump with Jeffrey Epstein on the path leading to Windsor Castle, where the president and first lady will spend a significant portion of their visit.
The group posted about the banner on their Instagram page, writing, "WELCOME TO WINDSOR CASTLE DONALD TRUMP 🇬🇧.
Everone Hates Elon/AFP via Getty
A banner at Windsor features a large photo depicting President Donald Trump posing with Jeffrey Epstein
"The British public welcomed him with THIS gigantic banner right outside Windsor Castle where he is staying with the King this week. Paid for by 1770 people," the group's caption continued. "This trip to the UK is about a polishing Trump's image so please DO NOT share this picture of the WORLD'S LARGEST PHOTO OF HIM WITH CONVICTED PEDO JEFFREY EPSTEIN. Thanks for co-operating at this difficult time for the President."
Trump has tried to downplay his past friendship with Epstein in recent years. He and members of his administration have repeatedly promised the declassification and release of the Epstein files — even on the 2024 campaign trail.
It's been a difficult sell, as Trump famously called Epstein a "terrific guy" in a 2002 interview with New York magazine, adding, "It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side."
That quote has also been displayed by the activist group on bus stop advertisements ahead of the president's visit.
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