LIVE: King 'would've probably helped us with Iran,' Trump says in dig at Starmer
Latest from King and Queen's state visit to the US
Donald Trump has bizarrely declared that the King would have supported the US's war in Iran.
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Asked about the King’s speech at last night’s state banquet, Trump said he was “very disappointed” with Nato after the US had “asked them to do some things about Ukraine and Iran”.
He then praised the monarch, saying: “The King is fantastic. We spent a lot of time together. We talked a lot. We talked about this also. He loves his country, and he’s a great King. And he’s a great friend.”
Trump added: “I think if he were doing that, if that were up to him, he would have probably helped us with Iran.”
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said on the issue: "The King is naturally mindful of his government’s long-standing and well-known position on the prevention of nuclear proliferation."
The comments come after the King and Queen arrived at the site of the national memorial in New York commemorating those killed during the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001.
Charles and Camilla left a floral tribute and met the families of victims and first responders who were involved in the rescue efforts after the attacks.
The couple will also chat with serving personnel to hear about the legacy and the human impact of the attacks.
During the state dinner on Tuesday, the King reiterated the importance of key global alliances - and also left the gathered crowd in stitches with a series of well-received jokes.
He teased the crowd: “If it wasn’t for us, you’d be speaking French” and made another joke about the Boston tea party.
He also made the crowd laugh with a joke about the President’s ‘readjustments’ to the East Wing of the White House.
“I’m sorry to say that we British, of course, made our own small attempt at real estate redevelopment of the White House in 1814.”
This morning Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the King for his speech, saying: “I thank His Majesty King Charles III, royal family, the United Kingdom, and all valiant American hearts for this clarion call for unity in support of Ukraine across the Atlantic.
“This is exactly what is needed to bring dignified and lasting peace to Ukraine and all of Europe. The people of Ukraine deeply appreciate all the support provided by the United Kingdom and the United States. Thank you.”
State visit day three schedule
- King Charles and Queen Camilla are in New York
- They are visiting the 9/11 Memorial ahead of the 25th anniversary of the attacks. They have been meeting first responders and families of those killed.
Later today
- The Queen will visit the New York Public Library, where she is due to present a specially made toy of Roo to complete the library’s Winnie-the-Pooh collection.
- While the Queen is at the library, the King is expected to attend a community engagement in Harlem before going to a UK-US trade and business event.
- The King and Queen will then reunite for a UK-US cultural reception.
King and Queen meet celebs at New York cultural event
The King and Queen attended a cultural reception celebrating icons from the UK and US.
They met a host of celeb stars sucb as US singer Lionel Ritchie, and British entrepreneur Charlotte Tilbury.
Vogue editor Edward Enninful was also present.
UK foreign secretary Yvette Cooper was spotted attending and has been present at various events during the state visit.
King meets banking bosses at US-UK trade event
The King has met with banking chiefs at a trade event in New York.
Among the attendees are CEO of Bank of America Brian Moynihan and the Chairman and CEO of Blackstone Stephen Schwarzman.
The UK-US trade event is being held at Bar SixtyFive at the Rockefeller Center.
Camilla speaks at literacy event
Queen Camilla visited the New York Public Library for a literacy event.
She was seen greeting atttendees before making a speech at the event, as did King Charles.
Camilla greets guests at literacy eventTrump says good relationship with King Charles 'probably helps' with Starmer
Donald Trump has also been speaking about Sir Keir Starmer at the White House.
Relations between the US president and the Prime Minister have come under strain in recent months, amid Trump’s criticism of the UK’s level of military support in the Iran war.
Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump told reporters that his good relationship with King Charles “probably helps” when it comes to Starmer.
King feeds chickens with children at Harlem community event
While Donald Trump was speaking about the King in Washington, Charles was carrying out engagements in New York.
New pictures show the King feeding chickens alongside children at a sustainability organisation in Harlem.
Trump and the King are expected to meet again tomorrow for the formal farewell at the end of the state visit.
Trump says King 'would have helped us with Iran'
Donald Trump has been speaking in the Oval Office about the royal state visit and the war with Iran.
Asked about the King’s speech at last night’s state banquet, Trump said he was “very disappointed” with Nato after the US had “asked them to do some things about Ukraine and Iran”.
He then praised the monarch, saying: “The King is fantastic. We spent a lot of time together. We talked a lot. We talked about this also. He loves his country, and he’s a great King. And he’s a great friend.”
Trump added: “I think if he were doing that, if that were up to him, he would have probably helped us with Iran.”
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said on the issue: "The King is naturally mindful of his government’s long-standing and well-known position on the prevention of nuclear proliferation."
President of France joins in on King's joke
Emmanuel Macron has responded to King Charles quip during the state dinner on Tuesday.
During the banquet on the second day of the King and Queen’s US state visit, the King also made light-hearted references to the Middle East crisis, a story about Sir Winston Churchill appearing naked in the White House, and Donald Trump’s “readjustments” to the building.
"You recently commented, Mr. President, that if it were not for the United States, European countries would be speaking German.
"Dare I say that, if it wasn't for us, you'd be speaking French," Charles joked.
The king was referencing to Britain’s eighteenth-century rivalry with France for control of North America.
King and Queen leave memorial ahead of separate New York engagements
King Charles and Queen Camilla have now left the World Trade Center memorial.
Their next events in Manhattan are separate, with the Queen heading to Midtown for a literacy event at the New York Public Library, while the King travels uptown for an engagement with children in Harlem.
Foreign Secretary discusses opening Strait of Hormuz
Meanwhile, ensuring the free movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz was discussed at talks between UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and her US counterpart Marco Rubio in Washington.
The pair held talks during the King’s state visit, on which the Cabinet minister is accompanying the royal party.
Posting a picture on social media of himself with Ms Cooper at the state department, Mr Rubio said: “We discussed the need for freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.”
King and Queen meet families of 9/11 victims and first responders
