UK's Royal Banquet for Trump Carries Ukraine Message

The banquet hosted by the British royal family in honor of Trump has become the focus of British and international media attention due to its splendor and abundance of symbolism. The banquet was organized in Windsor's St. George's Hall. Millimeter-calculated, line-arranged tableware - a total of 1452 pieces for 160 guests.

A 1945 port was also served in honor of Trump, as the 45th President of the United States. There was also a 1912 cognac, the year Mary Anne MacLeod, Donald Trump's mother, was born in a village on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland. The guests were chosen with great meticulousness. Even regular guests of royal events, David Beckham and Elton John, were absent. Instead, St. George's Hall was filled with business stars along with politicians. Apple CEO Tim Cook was seated next to the president's daughter, Tiffany Trump. Media magnate Rupert Murdoch was next to the prime minister's chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney. Each guest was assigned a specific seat with a personal tag. Trump himself, naturally, was in the center, between King Charles and Catherine, Princess of Wales. His place tag read "President of the United States of America," in all caps, as Trump often writes his social media posts. Queen Camilla, First Lady Melania Trump, and William, Prince of Wales, were seated opposite the King and Trump.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer was seated next to Stephen Schwarzman, the head of the investment firm Blackstone, which, on the occasion of Trump's visit, announced plans to invest 90 billion pounds in Britain. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch was seated next to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.

American high-tech corporations, in addition to Altman and other notable figures, were represented by Jensen Huang, the head of the chip manufacturer Nvidia.

The banquet was also attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff.

The feast did not pass without political messages. On the eve, the international press had predicted that the British King would use his close connection with Trump and would first try to create a very good impression with a lavish reception, and then would try to convince the US President to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia. The authors of that prediction were not mistaken. During the banquet organized in honor of Trump, the King of England called on him to support Ukraine.

"Our countries have strong ties in the fields of defense, security, and intelligence. In two world wars, we fought together to defeat tyranny. Today, as tyranny once again threatens Europe, we and our allies are together supporting Ukraine to deter aggression and ensure peace," said Charles III. The wives of Trump and Charles III attended the banquet in dresses of symbolic colors - blue and yellow, corresponding to the colors of the Ukrainian flag.