The Queen and President Trump: A State Visit to Remember
Queen Elizabeth II welcomed President Donald Trump on his state visit to England in June 2019, despite her annoyance at Marine One damaging her garden. Trump had long awaited this visit as a personal milestone, viewing it as a symbol of his success. The visit included a grand white-tie banquet attended by both the Trump and royal families, where the Queen and Trump engaged in lively conversation. Trump was impressed by the Queen's diplomatic skills and her ability to deflect controversial topics. Despite Trump's attempts to discuss personal matters like Prince Harry and Meghan, the Queen remained diplomatic and avoided controversy.
The state dinner at Buckingham Palace was a highlight for Trump, who praised the Queen's charm and their chemistry during their conversations. However, a small discord arose when Melania Trump's press secretary bonded with the British ambassador over wine and American football, leading to an awkward question about working for President Trump. The visit was considered a success by Trump's team, with extensive personal engagement between Trump and the Queen being a key highlight.
The aftermath of the state visit saw the British ambassador, Kim Darroch, resign due to leaked cables revealing his critical views of President Trump. The Queen reached out to calm the situation, expressing disapproval of Darroch's comments without directly apologizing. Trump appreciated the Queen's handling of the situation and praised her as a great woman. Despite reports suggesting the Queen found Trump rude, some allies like Boris Johnson believed she was amused by him and liked him.
While Trump believed he had a special relationship with the Queen, palace and British government officials were skeptical that he could be her favorite president. Throughout her reign, the Queen had hosted numerous state visits, with Trump's being the last one. Despite Trump's perception of their relationship, the Queen's fondness for previous presidents like Eisenhower, Reagan, Bush, and Obama was well-known among officials.