Inside Trump’s state dinner for the King, where Australia took centre stage
President Donald Trump hosted King Charles at a White House state dinner that highlighted the U.S.-UK alliance, but Australia emerged as a key focus through the King’s gift of the HMS Trump submarine bell, tied symbolically to the AUKUS pact. The King humorously referenced shared history and elevated AUKUS to the level of NATO in his speech, while Trump praised the King’s support for U.S. military actions. The intimate East Room event included prominent billionaires and officials, with Australian billionaire Anthony Pratt among the guests. The evening featured a four-course American menu and formal toasts underscoring transatlantic and trilateral defense ties.
- ▪King Charles presented President Trump with the original bell from the WWII-era British submarine HMS Trump, which was stationed in Australia and framed as an 'AUKUS predecessor'.
- ▪Charles explicitly linked the gift to the AUKUS alliance and equated its importance to that of NATO in strengthening technological and military cooperation.
- ▪Trump claimed the King agreed with his administration’s stance on Iran, including the assertion that Iran would never be allowed to possess nuclear weapons.
- ▪Australian billionaire Anthony Pratt attended the dinner and greeted his home country with a message after the event.
- ▪The state dinner was held in the East Room for about 100 guests, featured an all-American wine selection, and included high-profile figures like Jensen Huang, Jeff Bezos, and JD Vance.
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