King Charles III’s state dinner menu has been revealed after the royal dined with President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump.
The first course served on Tuesday, April 28, featured a “delicate garden herb velouté, silken and aromatic, complemented by a refreshing hearts of palm salad,” according to details shared via the White House website. The hearts of palm salad was complete with crispy shallots and “a whisper of micro mint for brightness and contrast.”
The second course consisted of handcrafted spring herb ravioli, with ricotta, morel mushrooms and fresh herbs picked from the White House Kitchen Garden. The pasta featured “a light parmesan emulsion, which enhances the essence of the dish.”
For the third course, a “classic dover sole meunière” was prepared and “bathed in a nutty brown butter.” The dish was complete with spring ramps, snow peas, pavé potatoes, and “a vibrant parsley oil.”
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Guests enjoyed dessert in the form of a beehive-shaped chocolate gâteau with a vanilla bean crémeux custard, which was set inside with an almond joconde and topped with a brown butter crumble. A crème fraîche ice cream and White House honey accompanied the cake.
Melania, 56, led preparations for the meal, which also featured wines that were chosen to honor “the shared heritage and enduring friendship between the United States and the United Kingdom, and [celebrate] the strength of American winemaking today.” The wines consisted of the Hopkins Riesling “Heritage” 2024 by Hopkins Vineyards, the Penner-Ash Pinot Noir “Willamette Valley” 2022 by Penner-Ash Wine Cellars and the Newton Chardonnay “Unfiltered” 2022 by Newton Vineyard.
The night also consisted of performances by the United States military musicians from the Marines, Army and Air Force, including “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, the United States Army Chorus, the United States Army Strings, the United States Army Herald Trumpets, the United States Air Force Singing Sergeants and the United States Air Force Strings.
Charles, 77, and Queen Camilla arrived in Washington, D.C. on Monday, April 27, for their first official state visit as the reigning monarchs. The pair are visiting from overseas to honor the American people as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence.
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One day after his arrival, Charles appeared before Congress and became the second member of the British royal family to address U.S. senators and representatives. In his speech, Charles addressed topics including the growing threat of climate change to the recent shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner that left a Secret Service agent injured.
“We meet too in the aftermath of the incident not far from this great building that sought to harm the leadership of your nation and to ferment wider fear and discord,” Charles said. “Let me say with unshakable resolve that such acts of violence will never succeed.”
Authorities arrested the suspected shooter after the incident on Saturday, April 25, and the 31-year-old was charged with “one count of attempt to assassinate the President of the United States, transportation of a firearm and ammunition in interstate commerce with intent to commit a felony, and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence,” per the Justice Department. A plea has not yet been entered.
