King Charles’ gift to President Donald Trump has deep historical significance in the relationship between the United States and the British monarchy.
The 77-year-old king gave Trump a framed copy of the 1879 Resolute Desk blueprint during a gift exchange on Tuesday as part of the royal family’s state visit, People reported.
This desk in the Oval Office was originally a gift from Queen Victoria to President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1880 and represents the bond between Britain and the United States.
According to the White House Historical Society, the ship was built from the wood of the British exploration ship HMS Resolute, which was discovered by a U.S. whaler after being abandoned in 1854.
The boat was eventually repaired and returned to Queen Victoria in 1856 as a gesture of friendship. This desk was built after the ship was decommissioned in 1879 after many years of service in the Royal Navy.
Its original blueprints are kept at the National Maritime Museum in London.
In return, Trump gave Charles a premium copy of the 1785 record given to John Jay by John Adams. In the letter, Adams described his experience in getting King George III to accept him as the first American ambassador to Britain.
The King and Queen arrived in the United States on Monday for a four-day visit to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary.
The trip will be Prince Charles’ first since becoming king in September 2022, following the death of his mother at the age of 96.
On their first stop, Charles and Camilla, 78, met the president and first lady Melania Trump in Washington, D.C., where they enjoyed a private tea.
On Tuesday, Prince Charles addressed Parliament, becoming the second time a British monarch has addressed the governing body, after his mother in 1991.
The couple then headed to the White House to attend a state dinner in Charles’ honor hosted by Trump and his wife.
After completing their stay in Washington, Charles and Camilla will travel to New York City for several events.
The royal couple will reportedly meet with first responders and some of the victims’ families and pay tribute to the 2,977 victims ahead of the upcoming 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Their state visit concludes Thursday in Virginia, where they will attend a block party celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States.
At some point, Charles is expected to visit a national park alone, and Camilla is likely to attend an event highlighting horse racing in the United States.
