A sea of pink and champagne toasts marked the White House state dinner honoring King Charles III and Queen Camilla, as U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump rolled out the red carpet for the British monarchs.
The evening, held on Wednesday, celebrated the deep-rooted ties between the United States and the United Kingdom, coinciding with America's 250th anniversary of independence. The reception featured cherry blossom decorations, a nod to the spring season, and an English garden-inspired theme.
"Our friendship is unlike any other on Earth," Trump said in his toast, praising the King as a "great man" and thanking the UK for the "great, great gift" of a rich cultural inheritance.
King Charles, in his remarks, presented Trump with a bell from the HMS Trump, a Royal Navy submarine that served in World War II. "If you ever need to get hold of us… just give us a ring," the monarch joked. He also quipped that the dinner was "a considerable improvement on the Boston Tea Party."
The Menu and Décor
The first lady oversaw preparations for the meal, which began with a garden herb velouté paired with a hearts of palm salad, followed by ravioli with herbs from the White House garden. The main course was Dover sole meunière bathed in nutty brown butter, and dessert featured a beehive-shaped chocolate gâteau with vanilla bean crémeux.
The room was transformed with towering trees and lilac blossoms, while tables were dressed in green linens with spring bouquets of butterfly ranunculus, phlox, and lily of the valley. More than 250 pieces of vermeil from the White House collection adorned the settings, alongside hand-painted menus.
The Guest List
More than 100 guests attended, including six Supreme Court justices (Samuel Alito, Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, John Roberts, and Clarence Thomas), Cabinet members, Republican lawmakers, and prominent business leaders. Tech titans Jeff Bezos (with wife Lauren Sanchez) and Apple CEO Tim Cook mingled with Fox News hosts Greg Gutfeld, Laura Ingraham, and Bret Baier. Professional golfer Rory McIlroy, fashion designer Ralph Lauren, and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft were also in attendance.
Fashion Highlights
The dress code was white tie, the most formal. First lady Melania Trump wore a pale delphinium pink silk strapless gown by Christian Dior Haute Couture, paired with off-white Dior suede gloves and pumps. Queen Camilla chose a deep pink Fiona Clare evening gown, accessorized with an amethyst and diamond necklace that once belonged to Queen Victoria. The King and president wore black tailcoats and white shirts, with Charles adding a blue sash and medals.