King Charles added a touching detail to the glittering state banquet he hosted tonight for US President Donald Trump. The white-tie event is taking place on Wednesday evening, shortly after the pomp and pageantry of earlier today, when the American president and his wife, Melania, were welcomed to Windsor.
The dinner is taking place inside St George’s Hall, at Windsor Castle, with around 160 guests including various politicians, celebrities and other dignitaries. Palace staff had been preparing for six months so that the three-course dinner would be immaculate, with every detail having been approved by the King.
One of the details was a touching nod to Mr Trump’s second presidency.
Four carefully selected wines accompanied the menu, but there will be a special wine waiting for the guests after their meal.
The wine in question is Warre’s 1945 Vintage Port, in recognition of Trump as the 45th and 47th President of the United States.
Also on offer is Hennessy 1912 Cognac Grand Champagne, in honour of The President’s mother’s birth year and Bowmore Queen’s Cask 1980, Islay, a gift to the late Queen Elizabeth in 1980, which was bottled for her Golden Jubilee in 2002.
Mr Trump is a teetotaller, so he will not indulge in sampling the variety of vintage drinks on offer, nor the cocktail.
But it is understood the White House has made him aware of what is being served and the care and thought that is behind each selection.
A special cocktail was created for the occasion, called Transatlantic Whisky Sour, a UK/US twist on the classic Whisky Sour, blending Johnnie Walker Black with marmalade, a pecan foam and garnished with a toasted marshmallow set on a star-shaped biscuit, evoking the warmth of a fireside S’more.
The three-course menu consists of Hampshire watercress panna cotta with Parmesan shortbread and quail egg salad, chicken ballotin with a thyme and savoury-infused jus, and a vanilla ice cream bombe with Kentish raspberry sorbet and lightly poached Victoria plums.
