King Charles had guests in stitches last night as he joked about nearly being “married off” to President Richard Nixon’s daughter.
The King, 76, made the quip during a lavish state banquet at Windsor Castle, held in honour of Donald Trump. He recalled an occasion in 1970 when, then aged 21, he spent time with Tricia, the daughter of then-president Mr Nixon, at various social events, including a dinner and a baseball game.
The joke, which was part of a speech about “the close ties” between the UK and US, had Mr Trump, 79, chuckling. The news comes as Trump health fears rise after embarrassing mishap at King Charles’s dinner.
In his address, Charles said: “For my part, I have always admired the ingenuity of the American people; and the principles of freedom which your great democracy has represented since its inception.
“Throughout my life, from my very first visit to the United States in 1970 and over 20 visits since that time, I have cherished the close ties between the British and American peoples.”, reports the Mirror.
“In fact, had the media succeeded in the 1970s in their own attempt at deepening the special relationship, I myself might have been married off within the Nixon family.”
Mr Nixon served as president from 1969 until his resignation in 1974 due to the Watergate scandal. His daughter Tricia tied the knot with Harvard Law student Edward Cox in a White House Rose Garden ceremony in 1971, while Charles went on to marry Lady Diana Spencer in 1981.
Speaking to the gathering at the state banquet, the monarch went on: “From York to New York, from Birmingham, England, to Birmingham, Alabama, we are united by a common language and shared heritage. The many thousands of people from each of our countries who have made the other their home have enriched our societies immeasurably – a fact that gives me the greatest pride.
“Our cultural connections, too, continue to flourish, with our actors, musicians, writers and television presenters prospering in the hearts of transatlantic audiences.”
Prior to the banquet, Mr Trump beamed as he posed alongside his wife Melania, as well as King Charles and Queen Camilla.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duchess of Gloucester, and Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh were amongst the royals in attendance.
Prince William ensured Melania Trump was comfortably seated at the beginning of the banquet.
Princess Kate also positioned herself in her chair and was placed between Michael Bulous and Mr Trump.
Mr Trump, dressed in white tie, appeared focused as he listened carefully to the King’s address.
He gave approving nods as the King expressed his pride in his Scottish heritage and grinned when he quipped about British soil creating “splendid golf courses”.