US, King Charles meets Trump: 'Let's renew our alliance'

Charles carefully calibrated his words, in his speech and elsewhere. He recalled that the strong partnership between London and Washington actually 'grew out of a dispute', referring to the American revolution against the British crown under the slogan no taxation without representation. And when he sent the Americans a message of support for NATO and commitment to the protection of Ukraine, themes that are hot for Trump, dismissive of the alliance and frustrated with Kiev, he did so in high tones: the transatlantic alliance is rooted in 'generosity of spirit and a duty to promote compassion, foster peace, deepen mutual understanding, and value people of all faiths and even no faith at all'.

Words facilitated by the coincidence of the visit with a historic US anniversary, the 250th year since independence.

Nonetheless, Charles also, however veiledly, hurled barbs at the president and his policies of rupture with Europe. He made explicit reference to Nato intervention alongside the US after the attacks of 11 September 2001: 'When Nato invoked Article 5 for the first time, we answered the call, as our people have done for over a century, side by side'. He will visit the Memorial to the Victims of the Attacks in New York in the coming days.

He went on to link that commitment directly to support now for Ukraine: 'Today that same indomitable determination is needed for the defence of Ukraine and its brave people, to ensure a just and lasting peace'. He defended Britain's military spending and its armed forces, in particular the navy, by recounting how much he had served in its ranks, after Trump's accusations that London's carriers are 'toys'.

The protracted ceremony contributed crucially to the relaxed atmosphere. The King was accompanied byQueen Camilla, who chatted withfirst lady Melania.

He was greeted by a 21-gun salute and participated in the troop review ceremony, the highest diplomatic honour bestowed by the United States on foreign heads of state. Military planes took to the skies. In the evening Trump hosted a reception and dinner attended by politicians and celebrities from both countries.

The president, struggling in the polls at home and in the Iran conflict abroad, seemed for his part ready to leave controversy aside, at least for a day, and to leverage honours and pomp, traditionally dear to him, in search of polish and perhaps relief from controversy. He stuck to written greetings and speeches and paid tribute to the British royals and the ties between the two peoples and countries. He nostalgically recalled that his mother was born in Scotland and 'loved the royal family', so much so that he had a soft spot for a young Charles. And he pointed out 'how before Americans had a nation or a constitution, they had a culture, a character, a creed. Before proclaiming independence, Americans brought with them the rarest gift, moral courage, which came from a small but mighty kingdom overseas'.

There was no lack of light banter: mentioning the drizzly weather, Trump exclaimed: 'Beautiful British day'. Although the royal visit took place amid heightened security measures after the foiled assassination attempt on Trump last Saturday at the annual White House press dinner.