King Charles and Queen Camilla landed in the US on Monday for their historic state visit — and it looks like the Queen and First Lady have been getting on like a house on fire.
The trip — the first since President George W. Bush hosted the late Queen Elizabeth in 2007 — coincides with the 250th anniversary of US independence from Britain, and aims to celebrate the relationship between the two countries. Which, as we know, has recently felt strained due to the transatlantic divide over Ukraine and the Middle East.
But so far, it seems the rapport between President Trump and the monarch has been pretty positive.
During a state dinner, Trump described the UK and US’ bond as ‘friendship unlike any other on Earth,’ while Charles ‘prayed with all [his] heart that our alliance will continue to defend our shared values.’
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It’s not just the men who appear to be getting on, though. Queen Camilla and First Lady Melania Trump also shared a humorous interaction on Tuesday as the royals arrived at the White House to be greeted by the President.
According to forensic lip reader Nicola Hickling, the Queen was seated next to Melania on the South Lawn for their ceremonial welcome. The weather had taken a turn for the worse earlier in the day — Trump later joked the royals had brought the British weather with them — but luckily, the rain cleared up for the formal event.
However, while sitting down, the Queen reportedly commented that it was still ‘rather wet.’ Speaking to the Daily Mail, Nicola said that Melania agreed, replying: ‘It certainly is.’
After both sharing a laugh, the lip reader revealed that Camilla then added: ‘We shall have soggy bottoms.’
The British phrase and baking term, which is heavily used on the Great British Bake Off to describe an undercooked, damp, or doughy crust, reportedly stumped Melania.
Nicola claimed she questioned: ‘Soggy bottom?’ to which they both broke out in smiles again.
Elsewhere in the state visit, King Charles attended a closed-door meeting inside the Oval Office of the White House. The monarch was joined by senior British and American officials, including the UK’s Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and the US Vice President, JD Vance.
The royal couple also joined the Trumps for afternoon tea at the White House and attended a British embassy garden party.
King Charles and Queen Camilla’s visit also comes days after the shooting at the White House correspondents’ dinner on Saturday, where a Secret Service agent was shot but not seriously wounded.
31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from California has since been charged with attempting to assassinate the President.
Allen was also charged with two firearms offences when he appeared in court in Washington DC on Monday. He did not enter a plea. If found guilty, he could face life in prison.