A lip reader has revealed what President Donald Trump and King Charles whispered about in the opening moments of the British monarch’s trip to the White House on Monday.
The President and First Lady Melania Trump greeted King Charles and Queen Camilla on the White House’s South Lawn, where their initial pleasantries weren’t audible to the television cameras capturing the greeting.
But lip reader Nicola Hickling told the Daily Mail that the President brought up both Saturday’s shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner and disturbing news about Russian President Vladimir Putin during the brief exchange.
The White House did not immediately respond to the Daily Mail’s request for comment.
‘This shooting …’ Trump appeared to say.
‘I’d rather not stand about here too long,’ the King appeared to respond. ‘I feel I shouldn’t be here.’
Trump asked King Charles if he was OK, adding, ‘It’s not a good thing.’
‘I wasn’t prepared, but now I am prepared,’ the President also offered.
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump (right) welcomed King Charles and Queen Camilla (left) to the White House on Monday as the British royals kicked off their four-day trip to the United States to mark the country’s 250th birthday
President Donald Trump (right) and First Lady Melania Trump (center left) greet King Charles (center right) and Queen Camilla (left) on the White House South Lawn on Monday afternoon, before Trump and King Charles shared a brief conversation
Trump then changed the subject, telling the King he had been in contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
‘So right now, I am talking to Putin,’ Trump said. ‘He wants war.’
King Charles said they would discuss that topic later.
‘We will discuss that later,’ the King replied.
But Trump continued.
‘I’ve got a feeling… if he did what he said, he will wipe out the population,’ Trump warned.
The monarch tried to switch topics again.
‘Another time,’ King Charles said.
Lip reader Nicola Hickling told the Daily Mail that President Donald Trump brought up the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting when he first greeted King Charles and Queen Camilla and then warned the King about Russian President Vladimir Putin
President Donald Trump (center right) also pointed out the area of the South Lawn where his White House ballroom is to be constructed, lip reader Nicola Hickling told the Daily Mail
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump (right) hosted King Charles and Queen Camilla (left) for tea in the White House’s Green Room after their greeting on the South Lawn
The President then turned their attention to a more lighthearted subject – his White House ballroom project.
‘You can see right through there,’ he said. ‘Right the way through to the ballroom. Would you like to see?’ he asked King Charles.
The monarch can be seen having a light laugh.
‘I’m sure you shall show us,’ the King replied.
Trump answered, ‘That’s right, you’re right.’
The King then asked where they were off to.
‘Which way do we go?’ he asked.
‘We’re going this way,’ Trump said, guiding the group into the White House.
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump (right) showed King Charles and Queen Camilla (left) the newly unveiled and expanded White House beehive, which is situated in the White House Kitchen Garden on the South Lawn
President Donald Trump (center) and First Lady Melania Trump (third from right) look at a display in the White House Kitchen Garden, which was planted by First Lady Michelle Obama in 2009, alongside King Charles (second from right) and Queen Camilla (right) on Monday
King Charles and Queen Camilla were treated to tea in the White House’s Green Room and then toured the White House’s updated beehive, situated next to the White House Kitchen Garden, which was originally planted by First Lady Michelle Obama in 2009.
The newly unveiled beehive looks like a miniature version of the White House.
The royals then headed to the British ambassador’s residence on Embassy Row in Washington, DC, for a garden party.
The Trumps’ more official program with the British monarch will take place on Tuesday, with a grander welcoming ceremony on the South Lawn planned and then a state dinner in the White House’s East Room.
