Trump makes awkward royal blunder in TV interview hours before arriving in UK

Donald Trump has spoken ahead of his arrival in the UK for a two-day state visit, but he appears to have made an awkward blunder. The US President, who will touch down at Stansted Airport this evening, said he was looking forward to the "great honour" of being hosted at Windsor Castle for his second state visit.

However, Trump appeared to suggest that it was the first time such an occasion had been hosted at the Berkshire residence, as well as suggesting that the Castle was chosen because it's "the ultimate" compared to Buckingham Palace. He also accidentally referred to the King as "Prince Charles".

French President Macron was hosted at Windsor Castle for a state visit in July, with the formal event having to move out of London due to the current multi-million refurbishment works at the Palace.

Asked what he hoped to achieve during the visit, Mr Trump told reporters: "My relationship is very good with the UK, and Charles, as you know, who's now King, is my friend.

"It's the first time this has ever happened where somebody was honoured twice. So, it's a great honour.

"And this one's at Windsor. They've never used Windsor Castle for this before. They use Buckingham Palace. And I don't want to say one's better than the other, but they say Windsor Castle is the ultimate, right? So it's going to be nice."

He continued: "Primarily it's to be with Prince Charles and Camilla. They're friends of mine for a long time, long before he was King, and it's an honour to have this King.

"And, you know, I think he represents the country so well. He's such an elegant gentleman and he represents the country so well."

After hosting the Emir of Qatar at the end of 2024, no more state visits will take place at the London-based Palace until 2027 - which is when the £369million refurbishment programme is set to be complete.

The refurbishment works, which began in 2017, also meant that King Charles had to relocate his private office in the palace from the north wing to the Belgian Suite on the ground floor of the palace's west-facing Garden Wing.

The new workspace includes the Orleans Room, which is the same room where Charles was born in November 1948.

Just hours before Trump is due to touchdown in the UK, the King joined many members of the family for the late Duchess of Kent's funeral in London.

The King was joined by fellow royals such as the Prince and Princess of Wales, Princess Anne and Prince Andrew.

Queen Camilla was absent from the funeral service due to illness, with a statement released regarding her absence just hours before the service took place.