Trump Praises ‘Remarkable Leader’ Following Successful State Visit

In a display of diplomatic camaraderie, President Trump lauded King Charles as “the greatest King” while departing alongside Queen Camilla after a successful four-day State Visit. The royal couple experienced a warm reception at the White House, where they said their formal goodbyes to the President and First Lady Melania in the Diplomatic Reception Room, following a productive day in New York.

The atmosphere among royal aides was jubilant, with smiles likened to the Cheshire Cat’s, as they celebrated what many considered a highly successful visit. This sentiment was further bolstered by an unexpected gesture from President Trump.

Shortly after the royal departure from the White House, the President took to his Truth Social media platform to announce a significant policy change: the removal of whisky tariffs, an act he attributed to the influence of the King and Queen. He noted that while the idea had been long-desired by many, it was Their Majesties who inspired him to take action where others had failed.

Especially after little more than an hour after Their Majesties left the White House, The President posted a remarkable message on his Truth Social media site, revealing he was removing whisky tariffs in their ‘honour’.

He said that while ‘people have wanted to do this for a long time’ the King and Queen ‘got me to do something that nobody else was able to do’.

The Scottish and UK governments had been lobbying the Republican to end tariffs on the industry, as the US is the single biggest market for Scotland’s whisky.

One royal insider told the Daily Mail: ‘Both the President and First Lady couldn’t have been more lovely and hospitable. Really they were. It’s been a wonderful visit.’ 

The couple arrived in an official car to be greeted by the President and First Lady outside of the South Portico, posing for photographs after a little rearranging on the red carpet.  

Charles waves goodbye as he boards his plane at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland

King Charles III and Queen Camilla have now wrapped up their visit to the United States and will head to Bermuda next

President Donald J Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are joined by King Charles III and Queen Camilla in the Oval Office

President Trump pointing out a picture on the wall to King Charles and Queen Camilla in the White House 

President Trump hosts King Charles for tea in the Green Room

President Trump pointed at King Charles and called him ‘the greatest King’ as they posed for pictures outside the White House — April 30, 2026

Trump stood with First Lady Melania and Queen Camilla and the King as he bid the royals farewell today after a triumphant state visit — April 30, 2026

Queen Camilla kisses Melania Trump on the cheek as Her Majesty is greeted for a departure ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House

President Trump pointed to the King and said: ‘He’s a great King.’ Asked what his favourite part of the visit was by reporters, Charles replied but his answer was discernible. 

King Charles paid a touching tribute earlier today in his final engagement – a visit to Arlington Cemetery in Virginia, one of the United States’ most significant sites of military remembrance. 

The monarch, 77, and Queen Camilla were greeted with a 21-gun salute as the royal couple arrived, followed by performances of God Save the King and Star-Spangled Banner. 

They have now departed from the States and are heading to Bermuda from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, with King Charles spotted waving from the aircraft before take-off. 

Earlier they laid a wreath and a posy at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to commemorate the nation’s war dead and honour the UK-US military partnership. 

Queen Elizabeth II visited the cemetery in 1957 during her first State Visit to the United States, also laying a wreath.

As Charles and Camilla left today, the Queen gave a cheery wave to reporters both outside of the car and through its half-open window as the couple departed the White House. 

As the car drove away, the President was seen to gesture ‘ok’ and heard to say what sounded like: ‘Great people. We want people like that in our country. They were really great.’ 

It was the final of five meetings between King Charles and President Trump, who has made no secret of his admiration for the British Head of State.

While diplomats are under no illusion of the fluid nature of the US leader’s affections – British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is most definitely on the ‘naughty step’ – it is clear that the King has lived up to hopes he will prove to be a ‘Trump whisperer’.

The warmth between the two men has been visible, with President Trump praising Charles as a great ambassador for his country.

Later, Their Majesties visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier where the national anthems of the UK and the US were played.

Charles and Camilla approached the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, escorted by Major General Gant and Ambassador Monica Crawley. 

Since 1921, it has provided a final resting place for an unidentified American service member from the First World War, with ‘Unknowns’ from later conflicts interred in 1958 and 1984. 

Thirty-two British serviceman are also buried at the cemetery.  

Earlier today, Charles paid his respects on a visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery — April 30, 2026

Queen Camilla lays a bouquet of flowers — Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, April 30, 2026 

King Charles lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery — April 30, 2026

Charles and Camilla are accompanied by Maj. Gen. Antoinette Gant and Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier — April 30, 2026

King Charles III arrives at the White House ahead of a departure ceremony to meet with President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump — April 30, 2026

Mr Trump chats with Charles and Camilla alongside a smiling Melania. It was the final of five meetings between the King and the US President — April 30, 2026

Queen Camilla, King Charles, Donald Trump, and Melania Trump stand outside the White House during a farewell ceremony — April 30, 2026

President Trump and Charles share a smile. The warmth between the two men has been visible during the King’s State Visit — April 30, 2026

Mr Trump raises his hand in an ‘OK’ sign as Charles and Camilla depart the White House — April 30, 2026

The US President gives a thumbs-up and Melania waves as Charles and Camilla depart — April 30, 2026

Charles takes a tour with National Park Service Rangers at Shenandoah National Park

Charles and Camilla, right, attend a parade and block party event on the final day of their state visit

King Charles III, accompanied by Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger (R) speaks with employees of Melting Pot Pizza during a parade and block party on the final day of the state visit

Charles and Camilla speak with local cheerleaders at the event 

Charles and Camilla greet local people from the town 

Soldiers from nearby Fort Myer were first assigned to guard the Tomb during daylight hours in 1926, and, since 1937, the Tomb has been guarded 24 hours a day.

At the Tomb, the King laid a wreath and the Queen a posy. A military band played four muffled ruffles and taps, before a moment of silent remembrance.

Inside Arlington’s Display Room, the King and Queen were given a short tour of the exhibition by the Executive Director Karen Durham-Aguilera, and senior historian Dr Allison Finkelstein.

Before leaving, they also viewed the Canadian Cross of Sacrifice, dedicated to those US citizens who volunteered for the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) and lost their lives in the First World War.

More than 40,000 residents of the United States enlisted in the CEF prior to US entry into the war in April 1917.

At the Cross, Their Majesties met two groups of serving military personnel from the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, before departing with another 21-gun salute.

This afternoon they visited a noisy and quintessentially American ‘Block Party’ in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. 

Their Majesties bought ‘Pot Luck’ – Coronation quiches and Victoria Sponges made by the British Embassy kitchens in Washington and honey from the royal hives – to accompany the bluegrass music and clog dancing.

The couple were visiting the classic American ‘smalltown’ of Front Royal, 76 miles from Washington.

While there are several theories about the origins of the town’s name, the most widely-accepted is that it was named after a giant oak tree – the ‘royal’ tree of England – that stood in the public square during colonial times.

The local militia were drilled there, with soldiers often given the command ‘front the Royal Oak!’ And this got shorted over the years to ‘Front Royal’.

It’s certainly better than its previous nickname of ‘Helltown’ due in the late 18th century, due to the rowdy nature of the boatmen, livestock wranglers and traders who passed through, drinking and brawling.

Fortunately it’s now a picturesque town of 15,000 inhabitants on the banks of the Shenandoah River, with a quintessential American Main Street bedecked in flags.

The streets were heaving with thousands of well-wishers, some who had been queuing for eight hours to catch a glimpse of the royal visitors.

Unlike royal engagements back at home, however, these ones went through metal and gun detectors.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend a parade on the final day of their state visit

King Charles III greets Junior Rangers from Warren County High School

King Charles III speaks with members of the Monacan Indian Nation during a visit at Dickey Ridge Visitor Center at Shenandoah National Park

King Charles III speaks with National Park Service Rangers at the Shenandoah National Park

Queen Camilla is presented flowers by Violet Marek as she arrives at Smitten Farm on the final day of the state visit

Honor guards from all branches of the military service of the US march in before Charles and Camilla arrive to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider at Arlington National Cemetery — April 30, 2026

Charles and Camilla and Mayor of Front Royal, Lori Athey Cockrell watch and wave during a parade and community block party

Charles shakes hands with Superintendent of Shenandoah National Park Tracy Stakely

A huge cheers went up from the crowds as the royal party arrived, the Queen wearing the same outfit but having done a ‘switcheroo’ with her brooch for a Cartier number showing the UK and US flags.

The event couldn’t have been more American: including a parade down Main Street and its bedecked bandstand, featuring cheerleaders, school marching bands, fire trucks, the ‘Little League’ state champion baseball team – and even some British and US classic cars.

Excited locals have been busy setting up since 5am and queuing to get a front-row spot to see the visiting royals.

Some spoke to local television station ABC13.

‘We came out early just to be part of the event, just to be part of the experience here. We never dreamed of the king, queen, or even come, you know, even Virginia, just much less Front Royal. So we just had to be a part of it,’ said Mark Anderson.

Kaden Anderson said: ‘I mean, I’m excited. It’s just like, because, like, this is a small place, like, you know, there’s not much, like, big things happening here. So our king and queen of England come here, out of all places, it’s very nice, and I’m very excited to see it.’

Residents say they hope the visit will help with visitor numbers to the region, seen as a gateway to the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains.

‘I’m proud that they chose this place to come and visit. You know, we’re kind of like tucked away, and to have something of such prestige come and visit. And a lot of us have, you know, after the ancestry thing that we’ve all done, might have a little touch of British in us,’ said Brenda Taylor. 

The royal couple were also enchanted by a pair of newborn lambs named Charles and Camilla in their honour. The monarch held onto ‘Charles’s’ leg.

The Queen later met the lamb too, stroking his head and rubbing his neck, declaring him to be ‘very aptly named’ and telling him: ‘You’re very sweet’.

The rare Kerry Hill breed animals are being raised by Tracey Bloom, from Upperville, a 30 minute drive from Front Royal.

There are only 25 Kerry Hill Sheep in the United States and she is hoping to grow the flock, working with breeders in Powys, mid Wales.

The King is patron of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust and told Tracey: ‘You’re very kind to bring them here.’