ISLAMABAD: At a lavish state banquet held at Windsor Castle on Wednesday in honor of US President Donald Trump, King Charles III praised Trump’s “personal commitment” to pursuing peace.

“Our countries are working together in support of crucial diplomatic efforts, not least of which, Mr. President, is your own personal commitment to finding solutions to some of the world’s most intractable conflicts, in order to secure peace,” the monarch told over 100 guests, AFP reported.

Addressing the gathering, King Charles also remarked on the current geopolitical tensions in Europe without directly naming Russia’s war in Ukraine. “As tyranny once again threatens Europe, we and our allies stand together in support of Ukraine to deter aggression and secure peace,” CNN reported.

President Trump described the UK state visit as “one of the highest honors of my life,” according to AFP.

The Royal Family shared highlights of the event on their official X account, stating: “This evening, The King and Queen welcomed President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to a State Banquet held in their honour at Windsor Castle.”

Despite heightened security around Windsor, thousands of protesters gathered in central London to express their opposition to Trump’s state visit, CNN reported.

Beating retreat ceremony

Earlier in the day, Windsor Castle hosted a traditional Beating Retreat ceremony to mark President Trump’s state visit. The Royal Family’s X account explained, “The ceremony has its origins in the early years of organized warfare when the beating of drums and the parading of Post Guards heralded the closing of camp gates and the lowering of flags at the end of the day.”

In a solemn moment, President Trump and First Lady Melania laid a wreath at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II. A Royal Family post said, “The President and Mrs. Trump laid a wreath at the Tomb of Queen Elizabeth II.”

The post also recalled Trump’s previous encounter with the late Queen during his 2019 visit and his tribute following her death in 2022:

“Melania and I will always cherish our time together with the Queen, and never forget Her Majesty’s generous friendship, great wisdom, and wonderful sense of humor. What a grand and beautiful lady she was, there was nobody like her!”

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UK’s King Charles praises Trump’s ‘personal commitment’ to peace