US PRESIDENT DONALD Trump joked that his late mother once had a “crush” on the UK’s King Charles during a formal welcome ceremony at the White House today.

Speaking on the South Lawn of the White House alongside the British monarch and Queen Camilla, Trump recalled how his Scottish-born mother was “glued to the television” during royal events, referring to the royal family as “beautiful”.

“She really did love the family,” Trump said.

“I also remember her saying, ‘Charles, young Charles, he’s so cute’.”

Trump jokes:

My mother had a crush on Charles. pic.twitter.com/mxgAQ7udxX

— Clash Report (@clashreport) April 28, 2026

Turning to the king, Trump added: “My mother had a crush on Charles. Can you believe it?”

The comment prompted a laugh from attendees and a slightly awkward wave from Charles.

“I wonder what she’s thinking right now,” Trump added.

The comments came during a highly choreographed state visit featuring a 21-gun salute, military band and flypast, as both sides sought to emphasise the long-standing “special relationship” between the US and UK despite recent political tensions.

“In the centuries since we won our independence, Americans have had no closer friends than the British,” Trump said, referring to the fact that the royal visit marks the 250th anniversary of the US colonies declaring their freedom from British rule.

Using a phrase prized by British governments since Winston Churchill first used it after World War II, Trump said that the two countries had a “special relationship, and we hope it will always remain that way.”

Trump also praised the British military, saying that “nobody fought better together” with the United States, despite recently deriding Britain’s two aircraft carriers as “toys.”

Afterward, four US jets roared over the White House in a noisy flypast as Trump, Charles, Camilla and Melania watched.

US Air Force jets pictured flying over the White House. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Moments earlier, Trump had been reflecting on his mother’s roots in Scotland’s Hebrides, which he described as “real, serious Scotland”, before turning to his parents’ 63-year marriage.

Gesturing towards Melania, he joked that it was a milestone they were unlikely to reach.

“That’s a record we won’t be able to match, darling,” Trump said. “We’ll do well, but we’re not going to do that well, 63 years.”

The couple married in 2005, and Trump is 79 years old.

King Charles’ visit continues with bilateral talks, while Charles is due to address a joint meeting of Congress tomorrow, only the second British monarch to do so.