President Donald Trump made an embarrassing gaffe Tuesday during an Oval Office interview, incorrectly referring to King Charles as “Prince” just hours after Buckingham Palace confirmed the monarch’s highly anticipated state visit to the United States.
The blunder occurred as the 79-year-old president discussed ongoing construction behind the White House, explaining drainage issues that plague the grounds during heavy rainfall. Trump stammered through the monarch’s title, saying “Prince… what, who was Prince Charles” before attempting to correct himself mid-sentence.
The royal visit will take place April 27-30 and includes a State Banquet at the White House on April 28. King Charles has been invited to deliver an address to a Joint Meeting of Congress—a rare honor that would make him the first British monarch to do so in 35 years.
On Truth Social, Trump declared he would “look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect. It will be TERRIFIC!”
The president pointed to the upcoming royal visit to justify his massive White House ballroom project, arguing the 89,000-square-foot development is necessary for entertaining foreign dignitaries and world leaders. The East Wing was demolished last October to make way for construction, which has faced legal challenges and ballooning costs now estimated at $400 million. The National Capital Planning Commission, chaired by a top White House aide, approved the final design in an 8-1 vote on April 2—though a federal judge has ordered construction to halt until Congress authorizes the project.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey sharply criticized the British government for proceeding with the state visit despite Trump’s treatment of the United Kingdom. “To send the king on a state visit to the U.S. after Trump dismissed our Royal Navy as ‘toys’ is a humiliation, and a sign of a government too weak to stand up to bullies,” Davey told reporters.
Warren Stephens, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom, addressed cancellation speculation during a question-and-answer session at the British Chambers of Commerce conference in London. He said scrapping the visit would be “a very big mistake,” adding that he believes the King will make “a very meaningful trip.”
Prince Harry, who lives in Montecito, California with wife Meghan Markle and their two children, is not expected to meet his father during the tightly packed official visit. Sources told PEOPLE magazine that Harry “wouldn’t ask” for a meeting during such a significant diplomatic engagement, noting that during a state visit, “every minute is accounted for.” The father and son were last seen together in September 2025 at Clarence House in London for a private tea lasting about an hour.
This will mark King Charles’ first state visit to the United States since becoming monarch and his 20th trip to the country overall. Queen Elizabeth II, his late mother, made four state visits to the U.S. during her reign—the last in 2007. The visit commemorates the 250th anniversary of American independence.
The title blunder represents the latest in a series of verbal miscues from the president. In November, Trump confused South Africa with South America during a speech at the American Business Forum in Miami, claiming the city has been “a haven for those fleeing communist tyranny in South Africa.” South Africa has never had a communist government. Census data shows only 805 South African residents live in Miami, representing 0.03% of the city’s population.
MeidasTouch Editor-in-Chief Ron Filipkowski suggested Trump misread his teleprompter but refused to admit the error, instead launching into an unnecessary digression about South Africa and the G20 summit.
Trump received a cognitive assessment at Walter Reed Medical Center on October 10 to screen for signs of dementia. He also underwent an MRI at the facility for reasons the White House has refused to disclose.
The state visit comes amid significant tensions between Washington and London over the war in Iran. Trump has repeatedly criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for refusing to join the U.S.-Israeli military operation, at one point comparing him unfavorably to Winston Churchill. Despite the friction, the royal family has maintained its traditional political neutrality. A Buckingham Palace source told reporters that “the king is above politics.”
First Lady Melania Trump is expected to join the president in hosting King Charles and Queen Camilla during the state visit, which represents a significant diplomatic milestone as both nations work to navigate their strained relationship.