King Charles III has made it clear since ascending the throne that he wants to inject some modernization into the British monarchy. This informal approach was on full display during the 2025 state visit by President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.
Known for his approachable demeanor, King Charles often stops to chat with ordinary members of the public and is unafraid to crack a lighthearted joke. This was the case during the royal welcome at Windsor Castle when Charles greeted Melania with a quip about her wide-brimmed purple hat, saying, “I do hope the wind doesn’t blow away your hat.”
Melania’s reaction was spontaneous and warm, sharing a hearty laugh with the king, highlighting a light moment amid the formalities of the visit. A forensic lipreader confirmed this exchange, revealing the underlying friendliness between the two despite the grandeur of the occasion.
The president had initiated the interaction with King Charles with a polite greeting, to which the king responded with the cheeky comment, perfectly capturing the balance of reverence and humor that marked the visit.
Melania’s choice of a dramatic wide-brimmed hat had already been the subject of much discussion, symbolizing a desire to focus attention on her husband’s agenda while maintaining a degree of personal privacy.
Through this exchange, King Charles demonstrated his ability to humanize the monarchy with a touch of humor, and Melania showed her more relaxed and personable side—moments that delighted observers and softened the pomp of the state visit.
