Sean Coughlan
Royal correspondent

Image source, PA Media

The state dinner speeches between Donald Trump and King Charles were full of mutual approval and friendship between the two countries.

That would have pleased the UK diplomats here to help repair bridges with the US - but there was a moment that might raise questions.

Trump seemed to suggest the King was backing his policy on Iran, an issue that has been a source of contention between the UK and the US.

The president said: "We're doing very well, we have militarily defeated that particular opponent, and we're never going to let that opponent ever - Charles agrees with me, even more than I do - we're never going to let that opponent have nuclear weapons."

The Palace has since sought to clear it up, saying the King is "naturally mindful" of the UK government's established policy of opposing Iranian nuclear proliferation.

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King Charles's address to Congress was "sorely needed" at a time the US has "seemed adrift", US political analyst Eric Ham told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.

He says American politics has been "gripped by polarisation" but Republicans and Democrats alike were "hanging off of every word that the King spoke".

Ham says he has never seen Trump "remotely suggest that there was a hint of unhappiness" in his relationship with the King, despite having "feuded with every other world leader, just about".

Royal commentator Margaret Holder said the speech could be considered "one of the top moments of [Charles's] kingship".

She told 5 Live Breakfast: "He's not a natural performer, his mother had huge experience dealing with difficult precedents and awkward situations, but somehow he's managed to pull this off."

Sareen Habeshian

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The dress code for the evening was white tie attire - the most formal dress code.

The first lady wore a pale delphinium pink silk strapless gown by Christian Dior Haute Couture, with off-white Dior suede gloves. She paired that with Dior pale delphinium silk pumps.

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Queen Camilla donned a deep pink Fiona Clare evening gown. That was paired with an amethyst and diamond necklace gifted by a former Duchess of Kent to Queen Victoria and then passed to Queen Mary.

The King and president wore black tuxedo suits and white shirts. The monarch paired his with a blue sash and medals.

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Plenty of high-profile names from the worlds of politics, television and tech were invited to last night's state dinner.

Here's a couple who photographers managed to pick out.

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From a White House fly-past to a lavish state banquet, watch our two-minute recap of the King's second day in the US.

Later in the day, the King addressed Congress, becoming the second British monarch to do so after his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1991.

He used it to warn the two nations had to stand together in a "more volatile, more dangerous" era.

Watch the key moments from the speech below.

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After a busy second day in Washington DC, King Charles III and Queen Camilla attended a state dinner at the White House.

Greeted by Donald Trump and wife Melania, as well as a US Military Colour Guard, the royal couple posed for photographs before being escorted into the White House for dinner.

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Inside the East Room, gathered guests listened to speeches from the president and the King, both of which were were heavy on jokes.

Trump spoke about historic UK-US ties and praised Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy for his reason Masters win - though raised eyebrows when he referred to the King's views on Iran. The Palace has since responded to that.

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King Charles's speech stressed the importance of the Nato military alliance during his speech, saying it was needed to "meet the challenges of an increasingly complex and contested world".

The King gave Trump the bell from the tower of the HMS Trump, a Royal Navy submarine which fought in the Battle of the Pacific during WWII.

Daniela Relph
Senior royal correspondent

As a reminder, Trump's speech at the state dinner on Tuesday evening included a small reference to conflict in the Middle East.

After declaring the US had "militarily defeated" Iran, the president said: "We are never going to let that opponent ever - Charles agrees with me, even more than I do - we're never going to let that opponent have a nuclear weapon."

We've now received a response from Buckingham Palace.

A spokesperson told the BBC: "The King is naturally mindful of his Government’s long-standing and well-known position on the prevention of nuclear proliferation."

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As we have reported, the King's visit to the US comes just as the Financial Times published remarks from the UK's ambassador to Washington regarding US relations relations with Israel.

Sir Christian Turner told a group of students that "probably only Israel" has a special relationship with the US at this time. The UK Foreign Office said the remarks were "private" and "informal".

Relations between Donald Trump and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer have been strained recently over the UK's refusal to get involved in the Iran war.

Speaking to BBC Newsnight, former British ambassador to the US Lord Darroch called the leaked audio a "betrayal" and "massive breach of trust".

"He'll [Sir Christian] be kicking himself for it," he added.

In response to Sir Christian's comments on Israel, Lord Darroch said it was "hard to see anyone disagreeing with any of it" as it has been "the conversation in corridors across Westminster".

Read more here.

The King mentioned Trump's links to the UK during his state dinner speech, saying: "I can only imagine the immense pride with which your own dear mother, indeed both your parents, must be looking down on the great office to which you have been elected for a historic second term."

And when Trump touched down to visit his golf course in Aberdeenshire in 2023, he declared: "It's great to be home".

Here's why the New York native feels a strong connection to the Celtic nation.

A Scottish mother

Donald Trump's mother Mary Anne MacLeod was brought up on the Hebridean island of Lewis, before moving to New York in 1930 at the age of 18 to find work as a domestic servant.

The president has visited her former home in Tong more than once and has often spoken of his love of his mother's home country.

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Trump Golf Scotland

The US president owns two golf courses in Scotland; South Ayrshire's world-class Turnberry venue, and Menie in Aberdeenshire, where he opened a second 18 holes last July.

Trump bought Menie, eight miles north of Aberdeenshire, in 2006 before purchasing Turnberry in 2014 despite indicating he had no plans to invest in Scotland following a long-running dispute over a planned offshore wind farm.

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Last year's visit for talks with the EU

Mixing business and pleasure, Trump has even taken to using his Scottish real estate as a venue for diplomatic talks.

Last July, Trump took in a round of golf at Turnberry before shaking hands with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last July.

Ahead of discussions on an EU trade deal, the US president remarked that he had "enjoyed the golf in "beautiful Scotland", but said he was "not in a good mood" as he sat next to the European leader. The pair eventually agreed to 15% tariffs on European exports to America - half the 30% import tax Trump had threatened.

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How does a state dinner at the White House work? Those who have deep knowldge of the event say it unfolds like clockwork.

The dinner has four courses - seafood, meat, salad and dessert, says John Moeller, a former White House chef.

The White House also makes sure that wine from the guest's country is served at the banquet. "It gives an ode to that immigrant community that is producing the wine here," Moeller tells BBC News.

But before the food is served, the US president and his guest must finish their toast.

"The big door opens and we flood the room with butlers," Moeller says. "We want to get them served as quickly as possible."

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Much like the speeches of the King and President Donald Trump, conversations during a state dinner mix light and serious topics.

The event is filled with formalities, but it is still a social occasion, says Stuart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association.

Tonight's guest list includes the biggest names in politics, sport and business. They will be served a four-course dinner and a selection of wines.

"Tonight will have a much more light feel to it... I'm sure both sides, they all have an agenda tonight, and I think they will use this social context to make it a little lighter," McLaurin says.

"But they also realise there's important business at hand and this a prime opportunity to discuss that," he adds.

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King Charles and Donald Trump made quite a few jokes during their respective speeches, lightening the mood in what is otherwise a very formal affair.

Here's a round-up of the moments of humour sprinkled through the speeches.

• At the beginning of his speech, Trump said, "I want to congratulate Charles on having made a fantastic speech today at Congress... He got the Democrats to stand, I could never do that"
• In his speech, the King said: "I cannot help noticing the ‘readjustments’ to the East Wing, Mr President, following your visit to Windsor Castle last year"
• "I am sorry to say that we British, of course, made our own attempt at real estate redevelopment of the White House in 1814," he follows up, referring to British forces setting fire to the White House.
• “Indeed, you recently commented, Mr. President, that if it were not for the United States, European countries would be speaking German,” the King said. “Dare I say that, if it wasn’t for us, you’d be speaking French…!"
• The King wrapped up his speech by quoting a line from Shakespeare and thanked Trump for the "splendid dinner", jokingly calling it a "significant improvement from the Boston Tea Party", a reference to rebels in the colonial US dumping gallons of British tea into the harbour.

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We've also received details on the decor for the evening, which has been designed to reflect a shared appreciation for gardens.

Reportedly inspired by the beauty of English gardens, we can see towering trees and blossoming garden boxes of lilac around the room, in addition to long tables laden with lush greenery.

The tables themselves are set with hand-painted menus and more than 250 pieces of vermeil from the White House collection, alongside hand-crafted ceramics by distinguished American artisans, including Ben Wolff.

Dinner will be served on both the Clinton and Bush china services.

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Now the speeches are over, the guests are enjoying the food at the state dinner, preparations for which were led by the first lady.

Here's what is being served:

First Course

Garden vegetable soup

Hearts of Palm salad

Second Course

Herb ravioli filled with ricotta and morels, dressed in a parmesan emulsion

Third Course

Dover sole meunière (a pan-fried French fish dish)

Potato pavé

Spring ramps

Snow peas

Dessert

Flourless chocolate cake (in the shape of a beehive)

Served with White House honey and ice cream

There will also be a selection of wines.

Sean Coughlan
Royal correspondent

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King Charles was able to give President Trump a very bespoke present, which also emphasised the military alliance.

He gave him the original bell from a wartime submarine, called HMS Trump.

“And should you ever need to get hold of us…well, just give us a ring!” said the King.

Sean Coughlan
Royal correspondent

Image source, Reuters

Canadians, unhappy at President Trump’s claims to make them his 51st state, might have been pleased to hear the King get in a reference to his role as King of Canada.

“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. So in one sense, Mr President, as Heads of State, we are joint hosts!” the King reminded his host.

Sean Coughlan
Royal correspondent

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The state dinner is an elegant sight, chandeliers hanging down, tables filled with candlelight and flowers.

President Trump delivered an address about the long historic ties between the US and Britain.

He took a couple of diversions, wanting to praise Rory McIlroy, who is a guest and stands to take a bow.

Then he mentioned the war in Iran and said how important it was to stop them having an atomic bomb.

But it returned then to a warm address praising his royal guests.

Image source, Reuters

The King wraps up his speech by quoting a line from Shakespeare.

"At this time where the search for peace in the world is more critical than ever, I can only turn to Shakespeare’s genius to remind us of the plea for peace," he says.

The quote: "my speech entreats, that I may know…why gentle Peace should not…bless us with her former qualities.”

He thanks the president for the "splendid dinner", jokingly calling it a "significant improvement from the Boston Tea Party", a reference to rebels in the colonial US dumping gallons of British tea into the harbour.

The president and King raise their glasses, and the speech portion of the evening ends.

King Charles says he is gifting President Trump a bell from the tower of the HMS Trump, a Royal Navy submarine that was first launched in 1944 and fought in the Battle of the Pacific during WWII.

The King says during his speech the gesture is a sign of the shared history and "shining future" between the two countries and tells the president "if you ever need to get hold of us, just give us a ring".

The vessel's name is unrelated to the president, but Buckingham Palace said in a statement ahead of the speech that the bell was a "symbol of friendship to mark this renewal".

The statement also noted that the gift echoes the late Queen Elizabeth's gift of the bicentennial Liberty Bell during her visit to the US in 1976.

Image source, Reuters

The King once again reiterates the importance of the Nato and Aukus alliances "to deepen our technological and military cooperation".

"To ensure that, together, we can meet the challenges of an increasingly complex and contested world," he adds.

He also hails the role of a submarine, launched from a UK shipyard in 1944, that played a critical role during the war in the Pacific.

"Her name, HMS Trump," the King says.