Inside the King's White House state dinner: What was on the menu?

Over 100 VIP guests enjoyed a four-course menu and musical entertainment, along with speeches from both the King and President Trump
Tom Place
29 April 2026

Donald and Melania Trump welcomed King Charles and Queen Camilla to the White House on Tuesday evening, with a state dinner to celebrate the shared history between the US and the UK.

The dinner, which took place on the second day of the King and Queen’s state visit, coincides with Americans marking 250 years of independence.

Guests enjoyed a four-course menu and musical entertainment, along with speeches from both the King and the US president.

Over 100 VIP guests enjoyed a four-course menu and musical entertainment, along with speeches from both the King and President Trump
PA

The aim of the dinner was to "honour the Special Relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom."

It opened with a speech by Trump, in which he thanked the UK for the "great, great gift" of a rich inheritance, adding that most of Britain's former colonies do not know what they owe to it.

Trump also described the connection with the UK as a "friendship unlike any other on Earth".

The dinner opened with a speech from Donald Trump
Getty

Charles and Camilla were the guests of honour, but there were more than 100 other guests, including the president's cabinet, six Supreme Court justices, billionaire business owners and a number of prominent celebrities.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Apple CEO Tim Cook, and golfer Rory McIlroy, were all in attendance.

Rory McIlroy at the state dinner was asked to stand up by the president (Aaron Chown/PA)
Rory McIlroy was one of the guests in attendance
PA Wire

The decor was inspired by English gardens, with trees and boxes of lilac around the room, and tables dressed in green linens with seasonal spring bouquets.

To finish off the decadent four course meal, guests were served a beehive-shaped chocolate gateau with a vanilla bean custard.

But what was the full menu?

First Course

Garden Vegetable Velouté

Hearts of Palm

Toasted Shallots

Micro Mint

Second Course

Spring Herbed Ravioli

Ricotta Cheese

Morels

Parmesan Emulsion

Third Course

Dover Sole Meunière

Potato Pavé

Spring Ramps

Snow Peas

Parsley Oil

Dessert

White House Honey & Vanilla Bean Cremeux

Flourless Chocolate Gâteau

Almond Joconde

Crème Fraiche Ice Cream

Wine

Hopkins Riesling “Heritage” 2024, Hopkins Vineyards

Penner-Ash pinot noir “Willamette Valley” 2022, Penner-Ash Wine Cellars

Newton chardonnay “Unfiltered” 2022, Newton Vineyard