Inside King Charles Fairytale Banquet for Pres. Donald Trump: Majestic menu, Moguls and Diplomacy (View Photos)
By Mona Austin
(TSN): The UK state dinner for Pres. Donald Trump, held on Sept. 17, was the stuff fairytales are made of. King Charles III and Queen Camilla presented a level of grandeur held in most Amercans' imagination. And in the heart if the president. The Royal Family of Great Britain extended hospitality to the U.S. leader for an unprecedented second time with precise diplomatic details, social splendor and expertise in opulence. President Trump in his remarks said it was an honor of a lifetime to be invited twice and he hoped to be the last presidnert to receive the honor. Along with the horse drawn carraige pick up to the stay in the picturesque castle, the three-course dinner was ties a bow around an extravagant overall experience.
Pres. Trump poured praise "His Majesty the King" for the invitation and how gis leadership has had a positive impact on the world.
We have inside details about "who" was on the menu at the all-eyes-on-London event (key for socio-political relations) and what they were served for dinner.
I must first mention the statement making centerpiece of the dinner -- the table itself. Some of the most powerful people in the world were seated around a 155-foot banquet table — long enough to land nearly three Marine Ones.
The Guest List: A Power Broker’s Dream
Seating at the ultra was carelfully planned. President Trump was seated between King Charles III and Princess Catherine, while FLOTUD Melania sat across from him beside Queen Camilla and Prince William. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio and financier Scott Bessent flanked the monarchs, while tech, politics, and media were interspersed. Power brojers at tgetable represented the U.S. were:
- Rupert Murdoch (media mogul-in-chief)
- Tim Cook (Apple) sat next to Tiffany Trump
- Jensen Huang (Nvidia), Sam Altman (OpenAI)
Steve Schwarzman (Blackstone CEO) and Jeanette Rubio sat near new British PM Keir Starmer
Some of these members of the U.S. delegation will be involved in talks with PM Starmer tomorrow when they meet at his estate in the UK countryside. Everyone invited seemed to gave a strategic role.
Even golf royalty made the cut: Sir Nick Faldo.
The Royal Household arranged the seating based on names submitted by the White House and the UK government. Guests were strategically arranged in a set up iintended to have peope seatrd next to each other speak. Towering plants in the tablescape would prevented impolite across table exchanges.
eA Majestic Menu Fit for a President
The menu came printed in French, but English translations on easels helped decode the decadence:
Starter: Hampshire Watercress Panna Cotta with Parmesan Shortbread & Quail Egg Salad
Main: Organic Norfolk Chicken Ballotine wrapped in Courgettes
Dessert: A Vanilla Ice Cream Bombe with Raspberry Sorbet and poached Victoria plums
Guests were served an exquisite wine flight — including a 2000 Monte Bello from California and a 1998 Pol Roger Champagne, said to be a favorite of Sir Winston Churchill. As he does not drink alcohol, President Trump's glass remained dry. His preferred non-alcoholic simoft drinks were provided.
Details at-a-glance
- 160 guests
- The banquet table is 47.3 m (155 feet) long -- equivalent to 2.7 Marine Ones -- has 139 candles, 1452 pieces of cutlery, and just over 100 staff.
The table itself takes a week to put together, a task that was completed on Sunday. Cutlery was then laid on Monday.
- The royal household put the seating plan together based on guests provided by the UK government and the White House.
- Guests have cards with the menu in French, but there are several large cards with the English version placed on easels around the room.
Dinner Menu En France
Starter: Panna Cotta de Cresson et OEufs de Caille sur Sablé de Parmesan (Hampshire Watercress Panna Cotta with Parmesan Shortbread and Quail Egg Salad)
Main: Ballotine de Poulet Fermier en Robe de Courgettes (Organic Norfolk Chicken Ballotine wrapped in Courgettes, with a Thyme and Savoury Infused Jus)
Dessert: Bombe Glacée Cardinal (Vanilla Ice Cream Bombe with Kentish Raspberry Sorbet interior with lightly poached Victoria Plums)
As Trump doesn't drink alcohol, the presidential team informed the palace team in advance what soft drinks he would be drinking
But the wine list gave a nod to the U.S., featuring a California red, Ridge Vineyards, Monte Bello, 2000. Also offrred wss an English sparkling wine, Wiston Estate, Cuvée, 2016; a white, Domaine Bonneau de Martray, Corton-Charlemagne, Grand Cru, 2018; and for champagne, Pol Roger, Extra Cuvée de Réserve, 1998. Pol Roger was chosen because it was Winston Churchill's favorite and Trump has often expressed admiration for Britain's wartime leader. The digestif served wqs Warre’s 1945 Vintage Port -- in recognition of Donald J. Trump as the 45th, as well as the 47th, President; Hennessy 1912 Cognac Grande Champagne, from The President’s mother’s birth year; and Bowmore Queen’s Cask 1980, Islay, a gift to the late Queen Elizabeth in 1980, which was bottled for her Golden Jubilee in 2002.
The Brits also created a special cocktail called Transatlantic Whisky Sour, "a UK/US twist on the classic Whisky Sour," blending Johnnie Walker Black, marmalade, pecan foam and garnished with a toasted marshmallow set on a star-shaped biscuit, "evoking the warmth of a fireside S’more."
Flowers include handpicked seasonal flowers and herbs from the gardens at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and The Savill Garden in Windsor Great Park.
The playlist included some Trump favorites such as Nessun Dorma, Tiny Dancer and a James Bond Medley, which have been played at his rallies.
With his eye for the pristine, it would not be a surprise if Pres. Trump and First Lady Melania take inspiration from the dinner decor for the massive ballroom he is constructing at the White House.
The U.S. leader felt honored by the grandiosity. In his table speech Pres. Trump joked that he wished he could stay in office, like a king.
Various photos by Getty.