By REBECCA ENGLISH ROYAL EDITOR IN WASHINGTON and NOOR QURASHI, NEWS REPORTER
Buckingham Palace today reacted to Donald Trump's claim that the King supports his policy to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons.
The US President risked embarrassing Charles in his fulsome and highly complimentary speech at the White House state dinner in Washington last night - as he veered off course and referred to the war.
Appearing to reveal the monarch's private views, Mr Trump said: 'We're doing a little work in the Middle East right now. And we're doing very well.
'We have militarily defeated that particular opponent and we are never going to let that opponent ever - Charles agrees with me, even more than I do - we will never let that opponent have a nuclear weapon. They know that.'
The President's words were greeted with cheers by many of the 120-strong diners.
In response to the claim, Buckingham Palace said this morning: 'The King is naturally mindful of his Government's longstanding and well-known position on the prevention of nuclear proliferation.'
Among the audience was Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, who was apparently seen nodding at the President’s remarks.
They came during an otherwise warm evening filled with jokes, affection and bonhomie, in which both the King and Mr Trump exchanged compliments and even jokes, reaffirming the historical links between the two countries and reaffirming the strength of the 'special relationship'.
The President got to his feet and appeared emotional when the King revealed he had brought him a personal gift: the original bell from the Conning Tower of HMS Trump, a Royal Navy submarine that fought in the Battle of the Pacific in WW2.
It echoed Queen Elizabeth's gift of the bicentennial Liberty Bell on her visit to the US in 1976.
He told Mr Trump at the dinner that it was a sign of 'our shared history and shining future' and quipped 'if you ever need to get hold of us... just give us a ring'.
Earlier this month Mr Trump stated he believed Charles would have backed him in the war against Iran.
The President suggested the King would have been more forthcoming with military support if he was calling the shots than Keir Starmer had been.
The British Prime Minister has been repeatedly lambasted by the President for rejecting his demands to get the UK more involved in the military conflict.
Re-opening the Strait of Hormuz has proved a particular sore point, after the Iranians closed the passage in order to disrupt the supply of oil and other vital products.
There were concerns the King's visit to the White House would be tainted by the tensions between Mr Trump and Sir Keir.
But the President shrugged this off, insisting Charles has 'nothing to do with' his and Starmer's fallout.
Mr Trump added: 'I like him [the King]. I always liked him as a prince. He's a good man; a great representative for your country.'
At one point at the dinner, the King quipped Americans would be 'speaking French' if it were not for Britain - a nod to the Seven Years' War - drawing laughter from the assembled A-list guests.
The joke mirrored Mr Trump's own frequent claim that Europe would be speaking German without American intervention in World War II.
In his speech at the glittering white tie and tails state dinner, His Majesty told President Trump and the 120 assembled guests: 'Tonight, we are here to renew an indispensable alliance which has long been a cornerstone of prosperity and security for both British and American citizens.'
'Across the ocean and from coast to coast, we have traded, innovated and created together. We have stood together in the best of times and worst of times.'
The monarch observed the challenges faced from across the world - adding that 'those challenges encourage us to reaffirm, tonight, the basis on which our partnership has been built'.
He referenced the many ways this can be done, such as defence partnerships.
The themes of the speech were similar to his earlier address to Congress but less formal and more personal in tone.
His Majesty again referenced the security incident on Saturday - which saw gunfire at the White House Correspondent's Dinner - and saluted both the actions of security services in preventing further injury and the President’s ‘unflappable determination to carry on.’
He added that the US character is defined throughout history by ‘courage, tenacity and the spirit of adventure’ and referenced the many meetings between Presidents and British sovereigns over the decades.
His concluding toast saw him amusingly thank the President for a wonderful dinner that is ‘a considerable improvement on the Boston Tea Party’.
After thanking the President for the ‘extraordinary’ hospitality of the American people, the King turned toward his host with a twinkle of humour that silenced the room.
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez were guests of the White House on Tuesday evening - with Sanchez wearing a plunging black ballgown.
Sam Altman, who is currently in a court battle with former Department of Government Efficiency leader Elon Musk, was also photographed walking through White House security.
Amidst the floral elegance of a White House East Room transformed into a lush English garden, the evening's diplomatic focus shifted sharply toward global security
Earlier this month Mr Trump said he believed Charles would have backed him in the war against Iran
Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said the US and UK had a 'deep and special partnership that is in action every day'
Several conservative media personalities, including Ainsley Earhardt, Laura Ingraham, Chris Ruddy, Jesse Watters and Greg Gutfeld, also made the guest list.
All three of Mr Trump's Supreme Court appointees made the guest list - Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh - along with conservative Justice Samuel Alito, a Bush 43 appointee.
Trump family members included Eric Trump and wife Lara; Ivanka Trump and husband Jared Kushner; Tiffany Trump with her husband Michael Boulos.
Melania’s father Victor Knavs was also invited.
Mr Trump has long been known to admire the British Royal family.
He had deep respect for the late Queen, whom he met twice, and was clearly touched by his state visit last September when Charles hosted him at Windsor Castle.
Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said US and UK had a 'deep and special partnership that is in action every day'.
'In terms of His Majesty the King he is a really significant and subtle diplomat, I think it's fair to say, as head of state for our country,' he told Politico's Westminster Insider podcast.
Asked whether the King would need those skills in the US, Mr Thomas-Symonds said: 'I think he displays them on every occasion you see him on the world stage.'