Trump gushes over Charles as ‘the greatest king, in my book’ as royal tour winds up

King Charles, Queen Camilla, US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump during a farewell ceremony at the White House. Photo / Getty Images via AFP

President Donald Trump hailed King Charles as the “greatest king” at a White House farewell Thursday - and said that the United States needed more people like him.

The formal goodbye capped a four-day diplomatic mission by Charles and Queen Camilla aimed at easing transatlantic tensions.

As the royals arrived at the South Portico of the White House for the brief ceremony, Trump excitedly told reporters: “He’s a great king - the greatest king, in my book.”

Minutes later, as the royal couple drove off following handshakes and a bit more chat, Trump added: “Great people. We need more people like that in our country.”

Trump didn’t elaborate on the comment, but the 79-year-old has frequently joked about becoming a king himself, and critics accuse him of acting like one by rolling back limits on presidential powers.

The President’s clear fascination for monarchy is particularly jarring given the United States is celebrating the 250th anniversary of independence from the British empire - and Charles’ ancestors.

Charles’ state visit was officially meant to mark the US-UK alliance in the anniversary year but has ended up being more about salvaging the so-called “special relationship”.

Trump has bitterly criticised British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over his opposition to the US-Israeli war on Iran.

But Charles and Camilla’s charm offensive in the US has had a healing effect, and on nobody more evident than the President himself.

At the beginning of the visit, Trump made headlines by saying that his mother had a “crush” on Charles. It now appears that the President might be following family tradition with his own bromance.

- AFP