US President Donald Trump has paid tribute to Queen at a lavish state banquet being held in his honour at Buckingham Palace.
The former TV Mogul said he and wife Melania were "profoundly honoured" by the reception they had been given and praised the ties between Great Britain and the USA.
Earlier, the President and First Lady received a ceremonial welcome from the Queen at Buckingham Palace on the first day of his state visit.
Mr Trump viewed the Royal Collection, before laying a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey.
He then took tea with the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall at Clarence House.
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Mr Trump said in his banquet speech: “Your Majesty, Melania and I are profoundly honoured to be your guests for this historic state visit.
“Thank you for your warm welcome, for this beautiful weather, your gracious hospitality, and Your Majesty’s nearly seven decades of treasured friendship with the United States of America."
Referencing the anniversary of the D-Day landings, The President said: “This week, we commemorate a mighty endeavour of righteous nations and one of the greatest undertakings in all of history.
“Seventy-five years ago, more than 150,000 allied troops were preparing on this island to parachute into France, storm the beaches of Normandy, and win back our civilisation.
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“As Her Majesty remembers, the British people had hoped and prayed and fought for this day for nearly five years.”
Mr Trump appeared to breach accepted royal protocol by touching the Queen on the back as she rose for his toast.
The state banquet menu
- Steamed fillet of halibut with watercress mousse, asparagus spears and chervil sauce
- Saddle of new season Windsor lamb with herb stuffing, spring vegetables, port sauce
- Strawberry sable with lemon verbena cream
- Selection of assorted fresh fruits
- Coffee and petit fours
Mr Trump briefly and gently put his left hand out behind the monarch. The Queen seemed unperturbed.
The Queen welcomed Mr Trump to the UK, saying she was confident the UK’s “common values” with the US would “continue to unite us”.
The Queen spoke of the “new challenges” the US and the UK face in the 21st century, and stressed the bonds between the two countries.
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“As we face the new challenges of the 21st century, the anniversary of D-Day reminds us of all that our countries have achieved together,” she said
“After the shared sacrifices of the Second World War, Britain and the United States worked with other allies to build an assembly of international institutions, to ensure that the horrors of conflict would never be repeated.
“While the world has changed, we are forever mindful of the original purpose of these structures: nations working together to safeguard a hard-won peace.”
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