Donald Trump gave a heartwarming tribute to the Queen during the state banquet on Monday evening. The US President described the Queen as a “great, great woman”, after recollecting a picture of her repairing a military truck engine in April 1945. During his speech at the banquet hosted in his honour by the Queen, President Trump said: “In April 1945 newspapers featured a picture of the Queen Mother visiting the woman’s branch of the army, watching a young woman repair a military truck engine. That young mechanic was the future Queen. A great, great woman.

“Her Majesty inspired her compatriots in that fight to support the troops, defend her homeland and defeat the enemy at all cost.

“We also pay tribute to Prince Philip’s distinguished and valiant service in the Royal Navy during the Second World War.”

The Queen also gave a speech during the state banquet, mentioning the shared values between the US and UK. She said: “Every year there are almost four million visits by Americans to the UK, with a great number claiming British descent.

“And with your own Scottish ancestry, Mr President, you too have a particular connection to this country.

That young mechanic was the future Queen. A great, great woman

Donald Trump

“We are also bound by the strength and breadth of economic ties as the largest investors in each others’ economies.

“British companies in the US employ over one million Americans and the same is true vice versa.

“Mr President, as we look to the future I am confident that our common values and shared interests will continue to unite us.

“Tonight, we celebrate an alliance that has helped to ensure the safety and prosperity of both our peoples for decades, and which I believe will endure for many years to come.”

The President landed at Stansted Airport at 9am for the start of his three-day visit to the UK and has been taken by helicopter to the centre of London.

The President was met with a ceremonial welcome attended by the Queen, Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall in the Buckingham Palace garden.

The Queen finished by inviting the room to raise a toast to the “continued friendship between our two nations, and to the health, prosperity and happiness of the people of the United States”.

The Queen was dressed in a state evening gown with crystal centred daisies by Angela Kelly, with a Burmese ruby and diamond tiara and a ruby and diamond necklace.

The Duchess of Cambridge’s dress was by Alexander McQueen and her tiara was her go-to choice for banquets – the Lover’s Knot.

For the first time she wore her dark blue sash of the Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, as well as the Royal Family Order.

Her sapphire and diamond earrings were loaned from the Queen.

The Duchess of Cornwall wore a cream embroidered evening gown by Bruce Oldfield, as well as the diamond boucheron tiara, a pearl and rose topaz choker and diamond earrings.

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