WASHINGTON: President Don­ald Trump said Tuesday that the United States has no closer friend than Britain, as he welcomed King Charles III to the White House on a state visit clouded by tensions over the Iran war.

Speaking after a pomp-filled welcome on the South Lawn featuring a 21-gun salute, Trump’s tone was a world away from his recent jibes at British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for failing to join in against Tehran.

“In the centuries since we won our independence, Americans have had no closer friends than the British,” said Trump, 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.”

In contrast with his criticism of Starmer’s Tehran stance, president tells king US has ‘no closer friend’

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.”

Trump has repeatedly lambasted Britain’s Starmer over his Iran war opposition, alongside the country’s immigration and energy policies.

Later, addressing Cong­ress during celebrations marking 250 years since American independence from Britain, King Charles III urged the United States to stand firm with its Western allies, as strains over Iran and Ukraine risk undermining transatlantic ties facing their most serious test in years.

“The challenges we face are too great for any one nation to bear alone,” he said.

“Whatever our differences, whatever disagreements we may have, we stand united in our commitment to uphold democracy,” the monarch told lawmakers.

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2026