President Trump praised King Charles III and Prince William during a lavish state banquet at Windsor Castle, highlighting the U.S.-U.K. “special relationship” before a gathering of more than 150 dignitaries.

President Donald Trump made headlines during his state visit to the United Kingdom on Wednesday evening after delivering a speech at Windsor Castle that praised King Charles III and his elder son, Prince William, while conspicuously omitting any reference to the monarch’s younger son, Prince Harry.

The remarks, delivered in front of a glittering audience of royals, politicians, and dignitaries, are being widely interpreted as a thinly veiled dig at the Duke of Sussex, who has lived in California since stepping back from royal duties in 2020.

The banquet, attended by more than 150 high-profile guests, was hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla in the castle’s grand St. George’s Hall.

It marked Trump’s second official state visit to the UK, making him the first American president in history to be extended such an invitation twice.

The evening was heavy with symbolism, underscoring the “special relationship” between the two nations. Yet Trump’s choice of words quickly drew attention, setting social media alight with speculation.

In his prepared remarks, Trump praised King Charles for his decades of public service and his commitment to issues ranging from conservation to veterans’ welfare.

“This is truly one of the highest honors of my life,” the president said, standing beneath the castle’s soaring vaulted ceiling. “I have such respect for you and such respect for your country for many decades. You have preserved the glorious and unique character of this kingdom.”

The president went on to highlight Charles’ philanthropic work. “The king has uplifted the poor, cared for rural farmers, and tended to wounded veterans like nobody else,” Trump said. The praise, delivered with unusual solemnity, drew warm applause from the audience.

But the line that drew the most attention came when Trump addressed the king directly about his children. “Your Majesty, you have raised a remarkable son,” Trump said, nodding toward Prince William, who sat at the head table with Princess Catherine, the Princess of Wales.

The comment was followed by effusive compliments for William and Catherine as a couple. “Melania and I are delighted to visit again with Prince William and to see Her Royal Highness Princess Catherine so radiant and so healthy, so beautiful. It’s really a great honor,” he added.

Noticeably absent from Trump’s remarks was any reference to Harry, the Duke of Sussex, who was not present at the banquet. Harry, 41, has lived in Montecito, California, with his wife Meghan Markle and their two children since leaving royal life in 2020.

The omission, particularly when paired with Trump’s singling out of William, was widely perceived as intentional. Critics and commentators suggested it amounted to a public slight against Harry, who has had a strained relationship with both his father and brother in recent years.

Trump has previously criticized Harry and Meghan, questioning their decision to step away from royal duties and relocate to the United States. In past interviews, Trump described Meghan as “disrespectful” to Queen Elizabeth II and accused Harry of being “whipped.”

Against this backdrop, Wednesday’s remarks were quickly seen as consistent with his past opinions, even if delivered in a more diplomatic setting.

For his part, King Charles appeared unfazed by the omission. In his own address, the monarch highlighted the enduring alliance between the United States and the United Kingdom.

“Our countries have the closest defense, security and intelligence relationship ever known,” Charles declared.

He praised the president and first lady for their visit and made light-hearted quips about the enduring strength of Anglo-American ties, even joking about historical speculation regarding royal marriages.

The evening was filled with ceremonial pageantry. Guests enjoyed a multi-course meal accompanied by fine wines, while military bands provided music throughout the banquet.

Trump and Princess Catherine were photographed exchanging a toast, with both smiling as they clinked glasses. First Lady Melania Trump, dressed elegantly for the occasion, was seated beside King Charles and engaged in conversation with the monarch throughout the evening.

The gathering also underscored the geopolitical unity between the two nations. Both Trump and Charles referenced ongoing support for Ukraine and the need to deter aggression in Europe.

“Together we’ve done more good for humanity than any two countries in all of history,” Trump declared, stressing what he described as the “hottest country anywhere in the world” under his leadership.

The pointed omission of Harry, however, lingered in post-banquet coverage. Royal watchers noted that this was not the first time the Duke of Sussex had been excluded from ceremonial tributes.

Just weeks earlier, King Charles himself had made no mention of Harry during a speech at a banquet honoring French President Emmanuel Macron. Wednesday’s event thus reinforced the perception of Harry’s continued marginalization within the royal fold.

Speculation also swirled about whether Trump’s remarks were designed to curry favor with the royal family or whether they were simply consistent with his longstanding public disdain for Harry. “Donald Trump doesn’t do accidents,” one former diplomat observed.

“Every word is chosen for maximum impact, and this was a clear signal of who he sees as the future of the monarchy — and who he doesn’t.”

In the United States, reaction to Trump’s Windsor speech mirrored the political divide.

Supporters praised the president for honoring America’s closest ally and showing deference to the monarchy, while detractors accused him of using a state occasion to indulge in personal digs and settle old scores.

Across the Atlantic, British commentators weighed in with equal fervor, some applauding Trump’s praise for William and Catherine, others lamenting the public nature of the apparent slight toward Harry.

By the close of the night, as guests departed Windsor Castle under the glow of chandeliers and camera flashes, the event was being remembered less for the lavish menu or toasts than for the conspicuous absence of a single name from the president’s glowing tribute.

For Trump, the evening may have been another chance to burnish his statesman credentials. For Harry, it marked yet another reminder of his complicated place within both his family and the world stage.

The banquet may have celebrated the “special relationship” between two nations, but it also spotlighted the widening rift within one of the world’s most famous families — a rift that shows little sign of healing anytime soon.