By Andrew O'Reilly | Fox News
Queen
Elizabeth, President Trump make remarks, exchange toasts at state banquet
President Trump, Queen Elizabeth acknowledge special relationship between U.S. and U.K., 75th anniversary of D-Day at banquet at Buckingham Palace.
President
Trump capped off the first day of his London visit Monday by
dining with Queen Elizabeth and other members of the royal family at a lavish state banquet at Buckingham
Palace, ending a busy day that saw the president taking in the sights of the
British capital.
Both Trump and the queen offered formal toasts ahead of
the dinner.
“Visits by American presidents always remind us of the
close and lasting relationship between the United Kingdom and the United
States,” Queen Elizabeth said in her toast, before referencing the Allied
mission on D-Day during World War II.
“We owe an immeasurable debt to the joint British,
American and Allied forces that landed in Normandy on June 6, 1944,” the queen
said. “The anniversary of D-Day reminds us all of all our country has shared
together.”
Trump is set to travel to Normandy later this week
to commemorate 75 years after the Allied invasion of France.
In his toast, Trump reaffirmed the close ties between
London and Washington – noting the countries' joint effort in defeating Nazi
Germany during World War II.
“The bond between our nations was sealed in that great
crusade,” Trump said. “We reaffirm our common values that will continue well
into the future.”
Remembering D-Day: A 75th Anniversary Special
The state dinner on Monday was attended by a number of
members of the royal family, the British government and the Trump
administration. Notably absent, however, was the queen's husband, Prince
Philip, who at 97 has retired from his royal duties.
At their initial visit to the palace early Monday
morning, the president and first lady Melania Trump had a private lunch with
the queen, later inspecting a collection of artifacts including an 18th-century
map of New York, historic photos of golf at St. Andrews and books about birds
and George Washington. He then participated in a wreath-laying at the Grave of
the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey.
The visit began with formalities befitting a state visit.
The Trumps were greeted by Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla,
the Duchess of Cornwall, at the palace. Trump could be seen chatting with
members of the Guard of Honor as the rest of the American delegation, from
a terrace, observed the elaborate arrival ceremony, complete with the
playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Royal gun salutes were fired from
nearby Green Park and from the Tower of London.
…
Martha MacCallum on Trump's UK trip
Trump is to remain in the U.K. from Monday to Wednesday,
which comes at a tumultuous time in British politics, with Prime Minister
Theresa May due to step down on Friday.
President Trump, first lady arrive for tea with Prince
of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall
Trump is scheduled to make his first presidential visit
to Ireland on Wednesday, spending two nights at his golf club in Doonbeg, which
sits above the Atlantic.
…
The centerpiece of the president's European trip: two
days the D-Day landing, likely the last significant commemoration most veterans
of the battle will see.
The events are to begin in Portsmouth, England, where
the invasion was launched, and then move across the Channel to France, where
Allied forces began to recapture Western Europe from the Nazis.
Fox News’ Judson Berger and The Associated
Press contributed to this report.
