By Bronte Coy,Nick Bond

Copyright news

Donald Trump was the guest of honour at a lavish white-tie state banquet at Windsor Castle on Wednesday evening, UK time, after a whirlwind day of pomp and ceremony with the royal family.

The US president and First Lady, Melania Trump, were hosted by the King and Queen for the evening’s opulent dinner at the historic estate.

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They were joined by around 160 other guests – including senior royals such as the Prince and Princess of Wales – for the event within St George’s Hall.

Prince William and Kate shared a portrait of their own on social media before making their entrance, captioning it simply “ready for The State Banquet”, adding an American and British flag.

The princess is known for her sartorial slam-dunks but Wednesday night’s couture gown by Phillipa Lepley – coupled with the glittering Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara – could quite easily be her best look yet.

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Even President Trump, who sat next to Kate at the dinner, seemed dazzled by his close encounter with the Princess.

“His Majesty has also raised a remarkable son in His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales. Really amazing. We’ve gotten to know you and I think you’re going to have an unbelievable success in future,” he said during his speech.

“Melania and I are delighted to visit again with Prince William and to see Her Royal Highness, Princess Catherine, so radiant and so healthy, it’s so beautiful. It’s really a great honour, thank you.”

Four courses are being served on the Waterloo Table, which is said to be the longest in Britain and took 10 people around four days to set up.

The King’s speech

Addressing those present during the banquet, King Charles spoke of the “enduring bond” between both nations, a relationship that has made them “safer and stronger through the generations.”

But the King, a lifelong conservationist, also included what appeared to be a pointed message aimed squarely at the US President, who has made deep funding cuts to his country’s National Parks system.

King Charles said that “we also have a precious opportunity to safeguard and to restore the wonders and beauty of Nature for the generations who follow us. We share the ambition, and determination, to preserve our majestic lands and waters; above all, to ensure that we have clean water, clean air and clean food.”

“Our legacy for the next 250 years and beyond is to ensure that our children, grandchildren, and those who come after them, can experience the awe and magnificence of the natural treasures found in the countryside, on the coasts, in the seas and in the National Parks established by your predecessors and mine,” he said.

In footage shared by the Palace, the King and Queen were seen inspecting the final layout just a couple of hours ahead of the dinner.

Seasonal flowers hand-picked from the Windsor Castle gardens and Windsor Great Park have been placed in elaborate displays along the table – and it’s expected they will be donated to a floral charity, of which Camilla is patron, after the banquet.

The menu, prepared by royal chefs, was written in French as per tradition (it’s considered the language of diplomacy) and a bespoke cocktail symbolising the enduring the “special relationship” between the UK and the US has been crafted for the occasion.

However, Mr Trump himself is unlikely to give it a try – he’s a well-known teetotaller.

It follows a whirlwind itinerary on Wednesday as the Trumps kickstarted their state visit.

The President and First Lady arrived at Windsor around midday on Wednesday, where they were greeted by the Prince and Princess of Wales before taking part in a carriage procession which also included the King and Queen and a handful of US dignitaries.

Following the military display, the King and Queen led the Trumps into Windsor Castle for a private lunch and then an inspection of a carefully curated special exhibition of artefacts relating to the US and the UK’s history.

Away from the cameras, and following a tour of St George’s Chapel, the couple was then led to the late Queen’s tomb where they paid their respects and laid a wreath.

For weeks, the town of Windsor has been gearing up for the historic occasion, with the royal family rolling out the red carpet to host Mr Trump on his second state visit – an unprecedented honour for a US president.