President Donald Trump appeared to overlook Prince Harry during his speech at the state banquet on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at Windsor Castle in the UK, focusing praise on Prince William while not mentioning the Duke of Sussex.
Addressing 160 guests at the formal dinner in St George’s Hall, Trump commended King Charles for raising a “remarkable son” in Prince William and predicted “unbelievable success in the future” for him. Trump made no reference to Harry, who has resided in California since stepping back from royal duties in 2020 with his wife Meghan Markle and their children.
Trump also praised Princess Catherine, expressing his and the first lady’s pleasure in spending time with Prince William and observing how vibrant and well the princess appeared, calling it a tremendous privilege. Princess Catherine was seated beside Trump at the dinner.
The lack of acknowledgment for Harry caught the attention of observers and social media users, who noted the evident focus on William in Trump’s remarks on the royal family.
Trump’s remarks came during his second state visit to the UK, making him the first U.S. president to receive this honor twice. He described the experience as one of the greatest honors of his lifetime, expressing deep admiration for the monarch and the United Kingdom. He termed it a “singular privilege” and jested that he hoped to be the last president invited twice.
The president further acknowledged King Charles’s charitable work, highlighting his efforts to assist the disadvantaged, support farmers, and aid military veterans, areas in which Trump said King Charles excelled. This mention came as Trump ignored Harry, who has been active in military and veteran causes since leaving royal duties.
King Charles delivered his own speech during the banquet, humorously referring to historical U.S.-UK relations. He joked that if the media had succeeded in enhancing the special relationship in the 1970s, he might have been married to a member of the Nixon family. Charles also spoke on current global challenges, emphasizing the united stance of Britain and America in supporting Ukraine to prevent aggression and secure peace.
Princess Catherine was dressed in a full-length, hand-embroidered gold Chantilly lace evening coat over a silk crepe gown by British designer Phillipa Lepley, accessorized with the Lover’s Knot tiara, previously worn by Princess Diana. Queen Camilla wore a blue Fiona Clare dress paired with a matching sapphire and diamond tiara.
First Lady Melania Trump wore a bright yellow Carolina Herrera gown with an off-the-shoulder design and a pink belt, complete with matching Manolo Blahnik heels.
Prince Harry, now 41, stepped back from senior royal duties in 2020 and relocated to Montecito, California, with Meghan Markle and their two children. Relations between Harry and the royal family have been strained following his departure, especially after the publication of his memoir and various public remarks about royal life.
Trump emphasized the strength of Anglo-American relations, stating that the term “special” does not fully capture the partnership’s significance. He mentioned the nations’ shared history, faith, language, and cultural bonds that span generations.
The president also discussed America’s recovery, asserting that the country had faced severe challenges a year prior but now represented the most successful nation globally. He noted that together, the US and UK have achieved more humanitarian good than any other pair of nations in history.
The banquet took place in St. George’s Hall at Windsor Castle. Royal protocol dictated the seating arrangement, placing Trump between King Charles III and Princess Catherine, while First Lady Melania Trump sat opposite, next to Queen Camilla and Prince William.
The state banquet marked the start of Trump’s two-day state visit to the United Kingdom, concluding on Thursday, September 18, when the president and first lady departed on Air Force One to return to the United States. The visit included meetings with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, where the two leaders announced a historic technology partnership agreement between their countries.