Trump’s Windsor banquet remarks draw subtle dig at Harry as he praises William

President Donald Trump used a state banquet at Windsor Castle on Wednesday to praise King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Catherine, while observers noted a subtle dig at Prince Harry, who stepped back from royal life years ago. The remarks, delivered before about 150 dignitaries, reinforced the long-standing US-UK relationship even as questions linger about the royal family's public dynamic.

Trump set a celebratory tone for the evening, saluting William and Catherine as the next generation of royal leaders and emphasizing the United States’ strong ties with the United Kingdom. In a portion of his formal address reserved for the royal couple, he said Charles had raised a “remarkable son,” a line that drew attention for its apparent omission of Harry. The president also praised William and Catherine, noting that William would have an “unbelievable” level of success in the future. "Melania and I are delighted to visit again with Prince William and to see Her Royal Highness Princess Catherine so radiant and so healthy, so beautiful. It’s really a great honor," Trump added.

Trump also highlighted the broader U.S.-UK partnership, describing their relationship as special and stressing that the two nations have long shared values and goals. He told the gathering that, as the leader of the United States, he valued the alliance and the work that has been done together across generations. In a carryover theme from his public diplomacy, he claimed that the two countries had achieved historical milestones in cooperation and friendship that few pairs of nations could match.

The event coincided with a formal address by King Charles, who paid homage to the United Kingdom’s relationship with the United States and urged continued cooperation in areas ranging from defense to education and culture. Charles spoke of the “glorious and unique character” of the kingdom and thanked the United States for its enduring partnership. He underscored the defense and intelligence ties that bind the two nations and offered a pointed reminder of the global challenges facing Europe, including the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. "Our countries have the closest defense, security and intelligence relationship ever known," the monarch said, adding that, with allies, the world would continue to face threats with resolve. "Today, as tyranny once again threatens Europe, we and our allies stand together in support of Ukraine, to deter aggression and secure peace."

The banquet was notable for its high-profile guest list, including royals, politicians and public figures with ties to both the UK and the US. It marked Trump as the first U.S. leader to receive an invitation for a second state visit to the United Kingdom, a sign of the countries’ ongoing diplomatic warmth even as domestic and international critics scrutinize the pace and tone of relations between Washington and London.

As Trump’s comments concluded, he and the future queen consort were seen exchanging smiles at the table, while the monarch’s remarks reflected a more measured, ceremonial tone. The evening offered a window into how the two nations view their alliance at a moment when royal narratives surrounding Prince Harry have been a persistent backdrop to public diplomacy and domestic political discourse in the United States and Britain.

Observers noted that the king’s speech during a separate reception in July appeared to exclude Harry, a pattern some analysts said could signal a continuing shift in how the family addresses the younger son’s departure from royal duties. In the Windsor ceremony on Wednesday, the focus remained on William and Catherine, and on the enduring U.S.-UK partnership that has withstood shifting royal narratives and political currents.

The event, which drew more than 150 attendees, underscored how the two nations frame their alliance at a time of global tension and mounting security challenges. While the public dynamics of the royal family add an extra layer of interest for observers, the speeches at Windsor aligned with long-standing diplomatic messaging: the special relationship remains a cornerstone of transatlantic cooperation, from defense and intelligence collaborations to humanitarian and geopolitical efforts across Europe and beyond.