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One World with Zain Asher

Day Of Pomp, Ceremony And Diplomacy For King Charles In U.S.; Later Today: King Charles To Give Speech In U.S. Congress; UAE To Withdraw From OPEC Amid Global Oil Crisis; Trump: Iran Says "They Are In A State Of Collapse"; Sources: Trump Administration Looks To Speed Up Deportations Of Minors; Aired 12-1p ET

Aired April 28, 2026 - 12:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[12:00:19]

BIANNA GOLODRYGA, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone. Live from New York, I'm Bianna Golodryga. You're watching "One World."

Moments ago, we saw the King and Queen and President and Mrs. Trump tour the new Rose Garden and then head into the Oval Office.

It follows a White House welcome ceremony high on pomp and pageantry.

King Charles and Queen Camilla got the full red carpet treatment today. The President and First Lady Melania Trump greeted the Royals on the White

House South Lawn a short while ago.

Donald Trump was effusive in his praise for Britain in a speech rooted in nostalgia.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Long before Americans had a nation or a constitution, we first had a culture, a character, and a creed.

Before we ever proclaimed our independence, Americans carried within us the rarest of gifts, moral courage, and it came from a small but mighty kingdom

from across the sea.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GOLODRYGA: President Trump's address comes at a time when transatlantic ties are under strain over the war in Iran.

CNN's Alayna Treene joins us now from the White House. And, Alayna, you counter the -- the -- the really tested relations between these two

countries right now. I would say the last time things have been so strained was the Suez Canal crisis many decades ago. And yet, the president here

really showing effusive praise for the monarchs, for the King, and sticking to script with his commentary, and according to your reporting and our

reporting here at CNN, taking an outsized personal role in almost every single detail of this trip here.

ALAYNA TREENE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, Bianna. And I think this just goes to show what an asset the royals are for the U.K.

government. I mean, there's no question that the president has always loved the royals. He's always had an affinity and appreciation for all of the

pomp and circumstance and pageantry, really, that accompanies them.

And you could really see that in the brief remarks, which is also uncharacteristic, I should note, for President Donald Trump, those brief

remarks that he spoke as part of that welcoming ceremony for the king and the queen.

He talked about the strong ties of the two. He made a couple jokes, one of which was how it was a little bit ironic that they are having this big

royal visit here at the White House when they're gearing up to celebrate America's 250th birthday, you know, the independence of America from the

U.K. this summer.

But he also talked about his mother. I mean, this is something we've heard from the president. You know, he's invoked his mother. I saw this when I

was covering his state visit to Windsor Castle back in September when he also met with the royals then. He brought up his mother again, someone who

grew up in Scotland, who the president when he was a young boy, would watch her watching the Royals.

And even at one point during those remarks, Bianna, he said, you know, speaking about my mother, she used to think young Charles was so cute, you

know, she had a crush Charles, joking about that while the King is was just seated right beside him.

And so very much you could hear the president, like you said, making this a speech of full support for the royals and also touting the special

relationship that the U.S. and the U.K. have enjoyed for decades, even as there is a lot going on behind the scenes regarding the tense relationship

that has really kind of broke out because of this war with Iran.

And that's really going to be an interesting thing, I think, to take away from what we're waiting to see for this afternoon when the King is set to

address a joint meeting of Congress. Obviously, we've seen this with the royals. don't, particularly the King, just like his -- his mother, the late

queen, and doesn't normally get very deep into politics, but I think no question this trip is a great opportunity for diplomacy and a huge asset,

particularly to someone like Keir Starmer, who, you know, is -- is hoping right now that this visit can help smooth over the relationship between him

and -- and the president and also, of course, between these two countries.

[12:05:31]

So, a lot of events we're still waiting to see. I think one of the big things we're going to be keeping an eye on as this day progresses is the

two -- the King and -- and the president are going to be meeting behind closed doors, unclear if that's kicked off already, in the Oval Office, not

open to the press, but a good opportunity for those to kind of discuss some of those issues we're talking about right now, about the war and the

relationship between the U.K. and the U.S. at this moment, Bianna.

GOLODRYGA: Yes. And that followed by a joint address to Congress that the King will be delivering. President Trump saying he wishes he could be

there, but alas, he will just be watching from the White House.

Alana Treene, thank you.

Well, of course, there is some controversy here. We're going to turn to the leaked remarks made by the new British ambassador to the U.S.

"The Financial Times" obtained a recording of Christian Turner's remarks made to visiting British students in mid-February.

In it, Turner says he disliked the phrase special relationship to describe the ties between London and Washington. He says, the only country that has

that special relationship with the U.S. is probably Israel.

He also tells the students that it is extraordinary that the Epstein scandal, which has rocked Britain, hasn't touched anybody in the U.S.

CNN royal historian Kate Williams is standing by for us in London. First, let's head to Washington and CNN's Stephen Collinson.

So, Stephen, first, let me just get you to react to these leaked remarks from Ambassador Turner saying that the special relationship would be with

Israel, not with the United Kingdom, also going on to expand on how the Epstein scandal has thus far only impacted officials in the U.K. and not

here in the U.S.

What, if any, impact do you think that's going to have on relations between these two countries, especially as the King is visiting the Capitol?

STEPHEN COLLINSON, CNN POLITICS SENIOR REPORTER: Well, the timing, obviously, is a little embarrassing. And we can talk about the U.S.-Israel

relationship, which is a separate thing here, but is also very important in the time of the war in Iran.

But I think the ambassador's remarks are showing a much more realistic assessment of the British-American relationship than many people in Britain

have, I think.

If you go back over the last few presidencies, uh the Obama administration, the Biden administration, they were more skeptical about the relationship

between the United States and the United Kingdom.

Yes, there is a very strong emotional bond, as you saw with President Donald Trump. But I think it's better for the U.K. to look at this

relationship in terms of it being with another foreign country.

The word special relationship, I think, has often become a cliche, which has not allowed a good sharp-eyed look at this relationship. And in many

ways, the way that Donald Trump has managed it, he has talked about the emotional and historical ties.

But he sees the U.K. just like any other foreign nation and foreign ally, and he's out to get what he can get from that relationship.

So while the ambassador perhaps is somewhat embarrassed by the day that these remarks came out, I think they show quite a -- a valuable look at

what the U.S.-U.K. relationship will be like going forward.

Sure, a strong friendship, but as we've seen in Iran, the interests of these two countries do not necessarily always coincide. And that's probably

the way it's going to be going forward whether Donald Trump is in the White House or any other president in future.

GOLODRYGA: Yes. From Peter -- from Keir Starmer's perspective, though, I do wonder just the timing now after still being embroiled in the Peter

Mandelson scandal to then have now another one, even though as you point out perhaps that this ambassador is speaking truth the fact that this is

happening once again with yet another ambassador to the United States. The timing may not be ideal for Keir Starmer.

Kate Williams, let me bring you in, because we are hearing that the King will open his historic address to Congress today by referencing Saturday's

tragic shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

How does that immediate moment of solidarity really reflect the message that the King is hoping to deliver here with this meeting and this visit to

the United States, not only meeting with President Trump, but then addressing a joint session of Congress?

[12:10:01]

KATE WILLIAMS CNN ROYAL HISTORIAN: Yes, Bianna, above all, the King is hoping to give a message of unity, and that's a message of unity not just

about the U.S.-U.K. special relationship, which is very much battered at the moment.

There have been many sort of insults traded back and forth, certainly between the President Trump and our Prime Minister, Keir Starmer. President

Trump is not happy at all with Keir Starmer's actions, particularly in respect with the war of Iran.

And, certainly, Charles is here to smooth over troubled waters. But people say, what is the monarchy for? They're here for soft power to create this

relationship. And Charles very much wants to create a relationship that flags up the unity, the special relationship, but also world unity. Charles

sees himself and wants to be a world leader on a world stage. And we are at a particularly critical moment in world history. And that's where Charles

wants to intervene.

So I expect to see him talking about the importance of NATO, about the importance of institutions to protect our democracy, and that moment of

sympathy he will talk about opening. And I also understand she's going to say that, you know, our long relationships we've always found a way

through.

But this speech to Congress, it's the first time since the sovereign monarch has addressed Congress, since her majesty Elizabeth II in 1991.

Hers was much shorter. We understand Charles will be speaking for about half an hour. This is very, very significant in historical terms,

diplomatic terms.

This is King Charles III's biggest diplomatic challenge. And I would say that historians of the future when they look back on King Charles III's

relatively short reign, as it will be, will judge him on how this visit goes, how this state visit goes, and particularly in relation to what he

can achieve with the president.

GOLODRYGA: Stephen, just picking up on these comments from Ambassador Turner, specifically referencing the Epstein scandal. We are getting

reporting that Ro Khanna, a Democratic member of Congress who has been an outspoken critic of this Trump administration and specifically how this

administration has handled the Epstein investigation.

He has convened a group of survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse to tell their stories. And he also went on to say that he believes this, according

to a conversation that he had with the British ambassador, that he suggested the King would even be addressing Epstein's survivors in his

address to Congress today.

What do you make of that development and how big of a risk would that be for the King to make?

COLLINSON: It's very interesting. I don't know whether the King, just by practice, would speak about something so directly as perhaps Ro Khanna

thinks it might be coming up in the speech.

The royals speak obliquely and by implication, so it's possible that he could say something that might be interpreted as speaking about this

situation. I know that they are quite keen not to say anything in the United States that would prejudice the criminal investigations in the

United States and would make it look like they're putting their finger on the scale in any sense because we know that the King's brother, the former

Prince Andrew, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has issues here and I think that is a consideration for the royals as well.

And, of course, the fact that the ambassador spoke about what many people again are thinking that heads of road in politics on the other side of the

Atlantic over the Epstein case and many haven't gone here, although you could argue that the former Attorney General Pam Bondi was dismissed

because of her handling of the Epstein case.

But President Trump, of course, is very sensitive about any mention of the Epstein saga. He knew Jeffrey Epstein in the early 21st century, although

he has said that he severed his relationship and there's no suggestion of criminal conduct by the president.

But this is a very, very sensitive subject. The royals have a way of addressing some of these things in language which is careful but can be

interpreted. So, if he does mention it, I think it would be much more on those terms rather than some direct reference to this, which I think would

be somewhat unlikely.

GOLODRYGA: All right. He, no doubt, sidelined very publicly his brother, the former Prince Andrew, but it would be quite stunning to hear him

address this publicly and in the setting of a joint session of Congress at that.

Kate, just from a perception and popularity standpoint, how are both the president of the United States viewed in polling right now in the U.K. and

how does King Charles? Where is his standing right now amongst the public, especially relative to his late mothers?

WILLIAMS: Yes. Yes, indeed, Bianna. I mean, the E word, the Epstein word, that has very much affected the polling, really, for the president.

[12:15:06]

And as -- as we were saying, we probably don't expect that President Trump have anything to expect King Charles to say something explicitly about the

Epstein files or the Epstein survivors. But the Epstein survivors have asked to meet with him. They have said they should meet with him.

And we do remember that at the last state visit when President Trump came to Windsor Castle, there was a visions of -- projection of Jeffrey Epstein

was put on Windsor Castle. So, there may be a protest tied in with this. And certainly Queen Camilla made a point. She wants to meet with the

domestic violence charities in the garden party yesterday.

But the polling, I have to say, in the United Kingdom for President Trump is not high. Certainly in the aftermath of the war with Iran, it was not

high. There many people saying in the United Kingdom that the King should not make the visit. The King should not be sent out there. It was -- it was

really sort of an endorsement of the president and the president's aims.

So, certainly, I think Trump's popularity is quite low in the United Kingdom. And I have to say that I think the speech that we saw the

president giving earlier, the fulsome praise, the laudatory praise of the United Kingdom, of Charles, of the United Kingdom, and even really in terms

of the American spirit being born out of the Revolutionary War, which was a very unique perspective, I think that will impact on polling, certainly in

the United Kingdom.

But the special relationship is in a state of disrepair. And over this three-day visit, it is going to be a task to repair it.

GOLODRYGA: Yes. The president for his part effusive in praise for the royal family for King Charles, referencing his family's visit and welcome to

Windsor Castle last year. And from our reporting, playing a -- a -- an expanded role here and planning the state dinner tonight in their honor as

well.

Kate Williams, Stephen Collinson, thank you so much.

Coming up for us, the Trump administration looks to speed up deporting migrant children back to their home countries. CNN's exclusive report, just

ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GOLODRYGA: The United Arab Emirates says that it is withdrawing from OPEC and OPEC Plus. OPEC is a decades-old cartel of the world's largest oil-

producing exporters.

The Energy Minister says that it will make it easier for the UAE to meet changing demand. But it is a major blow to OPEC at a time when the Iran War

has triggered a global energy crisis and as the price of oil hits three- week highs.

[12:20:10]

CNN's Eleni Giokos joins me now from Dubai. Eleni, and so with the UAE doing this and making this announcement today, I believe they are the third

or fourth largest producer among OPEC members.

Talk about the significance here and the impact that it's already having within the region.

ELENI GIOKOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. So it's the third largest producer within OPEC, and it's really significant. I mean, frankly, it's a bombshell

announcement today, Bianna.

You know, they joined in 1967, one of the founding members, and that was just a few years before the formation of the UAE. And this is, you know,

really going to shape what we see in the oil markets.

And you were talking about WTI, you know, responding quite aggressively on the back of this news. And we've seen an increase in oil prices as we hear

one of the oldest members withdrawing from this organization.

This is, importantly, an organization that can exert influence on oil prices. It has the ability to control supply. So, when oil prices go high,

then, you know, we start to see quotas from these oil producing nations and that starts to temper off oil prices.

But when oil prices are low, that is also when they step in, specifically to protect oil producers, that if oil prices are below what it costs to

produce a barrel of oil, they can also play around with that. That's why they viewed as a cartel.

The UAE energy minister says, this is not a political decision, but many people are focusing on the timing, given that we are currently in the

largest energy crisis in the history of markets. Take a listen to what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SUHAIL AL MAZROUEI, UAE ENERGY MINISTER: This is not a political decision. This is a pure policy position and -- and repositioning us to be it is in -

- in -- in the front of -- of the world taking the right decision at the speed that we aspire for.

To us, it's the consumers are critical. To us, we need to attain to these countries who entrusted us to build the refineries based on our crude. And

our crude today, Murban, is one of the cleanest, if not the cleanest crude on earth.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GIOKOS: So, really important to note here that in the statements that was released today by media, they say that when they joined the alliance, they

have made significant contributions as well as even greater sacrifices, they say for the benefit of all. And that's because they've been adhering

to a quota system.

As of April 2025, UAE was allowed to sell 3.5 million barrels of oil per day, when the capacity is around five million barrels of oil per day.

And given that we've seen, not only attacks by Iran on critical energy infrastructure targeted here on the UAE as well as other Gulf states, but

also the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has completely changed the way the UAE views its position in the global energy markets.

And they're saying they're going to start focusing on national interests and continue their commitment to stabilizing oil prices.

But, Bianna, any way you look at this, many people are questioning the fate of OPEC right now, whether this is a precursor to more countries leaving

OPEC, and importantly, what happens to oil prices from here.

GOLODRYGA: And the future relationship, once again, a question between the Saudis and the Emiratis as well.

GIOKOS: Yes.

GOLODRYGA: Eleni Giokos, thank you so much. Appreciate it.

Well, sources tell CNN that in the next few days, Iran is expected to submit a revised proposal to bring an end to the war with the U.S. and

Israel.

A short time ago, President Trump claimed that Iran had just informed the U.S. that it's in a state of collapse and insisted Tehran wants the Strait

of Hormuz open as they try to figure out their leadership situation.

CNN's Nic Robertson joins me now live in Islamabad. So, Nic, just going back to this latest post from President Trump, the Iranians reaching out to

the White House saying they're in a state of collapse, what are you hearing in response to that post?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yes. Frankly, it would shock me if the Iranians had reached out even through the mediators here in

Pakistan to tell President Trump that they were in a state of collapse.

That may be an inference from just how sort of slow and difficult it is to get clear and precise communications from Iran. Obviously, the -- the

ayatollah, as we understand, is -- is in a secure location that messages a slow to move in -- in Iran, and -- and as well you have the multiple

layers, the sort of political, the military, the IRGC and -- and then around the ayatollah.

[12:25:16]

So -- so if you take President Trump a little less literally, as I think a lot of people do, maybe this is what he means. But -- but I think it's the

last line there where he says, you know, they want us to open the Strait of Hormuz while they sort themselves out in parentheses, which I think they

can do, the president said.

I mean, we all know that the president can be really acerbic, he can be bombastic, he can be critical in his Truth Social posts. So, on that

spectrum, this seems relatively positive and coming after last night's by - - or last night -- last night's interview given by the Secretary of State Marco Rubio, where he'd said that the Iranians had gone perhaps further

than had been expected.

I think that kind of sets some expectations that what Iran may come back with at the -- the next phase in the next few days, if that's what it is,

will be potentially an improvement on that, but precisely what -- where the Iranian thinking is, we don't know. They had wanted this approach where you

just park the nuclear issue to one side, essentially a reset to the war, so you go back to the pre-war.

But if you're in President Trump's shoes, how does that look like he's achieved anything? Because all it's done is ended the war that he started.

So, is it that the Iranians are going to come back and perhaps find a compromise on some of the nuclear issues, not the thorniest ones? That's a

possibility. And there was a real sense, you know, two weeks ago, two and a half weeks ago now actually, when J.D. Vance was here, that there were some

things on the nuclear file that had been agreed and -- and sides were getting close.

And -- and the perception here at the moment is the sides are, again, close, but the hard -- last yards, as we say so many times, they're the

hardest.

GOLODRYGA: They are indeed. We saw that firsthand with the Gaza negotiations. And we're seeing it play out once again here with the war in

Iran.

Nic Robertson, thank you.

But we want to bring you a CNN exclusive now. Sources tell us the Trump administration is taking steps to speed up deportations of migrant children

held in U.S. custody.

Immigration hearings for children as young as four years old are being moved up by weeks or even months, making it more difficult for attorneys to

obtain immigration relief.

Joining us with more on this is CNN's Priscilla Alvarez. Priscilla, what more are you learning?

PRISCILLA ALVAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Bianna, this story really captures the complexities of the U.S. immigration system for two reasons.

One, what these children are facing are these accelerated timelines for their immigration hearings.

So, they are being set up to go to immigration court sooner than expected or they're giving -- given less time before their next hearing, so they're

having them more frequently.

At the same time, their attorneys, those who have them, are trying to obtain immigration relief through a different federal agency. And these --

this often happens, where the two paths are happening at the same time, but oftentimes, the immigration judges will extend the time between hearings

knowing that there is another process that's playing out with the Department of Homeland Security to obtain relief for these kids.

And that is where the problem lies with what is happening now, is that as these immigration hearings are happening more frequently and on an

expedited basis, these children are faced with having to defend their deportation without even knowing if they're yet eligible for immigration

relief.

So, I'll give you some examples. There was a five-year-old who arrived unaccompanied to the U.S. They were scheduled for an immigration hearing

within a week or two from arrival. That's sooner than would otherwise happen.

In Texas, 300 children residing in shelters had their hearings abruptly moved up, sometimes a little notice. And one example for they -- the

attorney learned the hearing on Thursday was going be moved to Tuesday, or rather that a later hearing was going be moved up to Tuesday. A hearing

scheduled for 2027 was suddenly moved up to just a couple weeks from the notice.

Now, we're talking about young children here. We're also talking about teenagers. They are held in U.S. custody until they can be released to a

U.S. based sponsor like a parent or relative. But that's gotten increasingly hard with new restrictions, so they're languishing in custody

for a longer period of time.

And at the same time, they're going to these hearings. So one attorney told me that sometimes these children will wet their pants when they go to these

hearings because they just don't understand what's happening and they have this immigration judge who will ultimately determine if they stay or go.

Now, another attorney told me this, quote, they're all some combination of confused, scared, and frustrated. That's, of course, in regards to the

children.

We did ask the administration for comment on this. The Health and Human Services Department, which is charged with the care of these children, said

the department is, quote, "Focused on resolving cases involving unaccompanied children as quickly and efficiently as possible, consistent

with the law."

[12:30:12]

They went on to say that moving these cases forward will disrupt the networks that bring these children to the United States and reducing time

in custody with lower taxpayer costs.

Now, there is some nuance with their issue. These are some of the children who are fleeing conditions at home. There are about 2,000 of them that are

in U.S. custody. So, attorney is now scrambling to prepare for their hearings and preparing their cases to see if they can get any relief before

they are potentially deported.

GOLODRYGA: OK. Priscilla Alvarez, you'll stay on top of this story for us. Thank you.

Still to come for us, a warm welcome for King Charles and Queen Camilla. We'll have the latest from the White House, up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GOLODRYGA: King Charles and Queen Camilla are still at the White House. The King and President Trump have been having a bilateral meeting. And in the

next hour, the King heads to Capitol Hill, where he will address lawmakers.

British monarchs are bound to stay above day-to-day politics, but the King's presence projects a soft power that the British government will be

looking to harness.

For that, let's go back to the White House, and our royal correspondent Max Foster is there. And this is quite the needle. The King will have to be

threading here. We know that it helps to have this very friendly and warm relationship with President Trump who appears to very much respect and

revere the royal family and this particular royal, not something that we could describe in terms of his views of other European leaders, including

Keir Starmer at the time.

So, just talk about what's at stake here for this visit.

MAX FOSTER, CNN ROYAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it couldn't have been a better start, I think, for King Charles or indeed the British government, because

that was the ultimate welcome really. There were elements of that military welcome that have never been honored onto a foreign head of state before.

[12:35:07]

So that was -- I mean this moment, standing on the balcony, reviewing the parade, that's something King Charles does for the first time as a visiting

head of state.

In the speech, it's interesting, I've spoken to people involved in the King's speech later on today to Congress. And it's going to sound very

similar to what the president was saying today, going back to Magna Carta and the long historic relationship. So, that was music to the British

government's ears, I think.

The biggest test though, probably in King Charles' reign so far is currently taking place, a one-on-one meeting with the president, where he

may well discuss current issues. He can't do that publicly because of his constitutional role, but he perhaps can do so behind closed doors, which is

why there are no cameras or sound or reporters in there.

But if he can fix this very fractured relationship between the two countries, then that is the king very much living up to his duties. So, a

big moment for him there.

I have to say, quickly, Bianna, there was a moment where the King spoke about the idea that his mother might be looking down and seeing the

president now next to King Charles.

And I think that was fascinating insight because it tells us a bit about why the president is so enamored in British royalty, which is, of course,

something the government uses to its advantage as demonstrated today.

GOLODRYGA: Yes. And the president likes to reference his parents, his mother, in particular, who was born in Scotland, today, acknowledging that

his mother may have even had a crush on a younger Prince Charles at the time. And that led to quite a bit of chuckling there behind him.

Max Foster, thank you so much.

Royal historian Kate Williams joins us now. Kate, so what will you be watching for -- for the King's speech? I mean, we talked a few moments ago

about even the potential, as Congressman Ro Khanna said, of -- of the King referencing the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

I would believe that to be something most people would be shocked to hear that the King would address before an audience, much less a joint session

of Congress.

But what will you be listening for?

WILLIAMS: Yes, Bianna, I think it's unlikely we're going to see specific reference to the Epstein scandal, to the victims, the survivors. I believe

that when the Queen, Queen Camilla, yesterday met with some representatives of charities, particularly for domestic violence and exploited children,

that that really is the royals' gesture towards as much as they feel they can say about the scandal, about the fallout, and about, you were just

covering earlier, the British ambassador's leaked remarks that he said that no one in the U.S. had been touched by the extraordinary Epstein scandal.

I think what we're going to see from the King, I understand it's going to be around half an hour long. So quite a long speech comparatively, much

longer than President Trump's today, which is about 12 minutes long, the speech he gave in front of the White House.

President Trump was talking about the special relationship. It really was an incredibly complimentary speech. Personally, to Charles, Charles was

elegant, intellectual, and also someone that the president's mother had been in love with.

The United Kingdom was somewhere that was a great place. Both countries, he said, had exceptional nations devoted to the sacred devotion to liberty.

And President Trump talked particularly about how the American Revolution grew out of British spirit, that the Americans could sing freedom because

their colonial ancestors, as he put it, had sung "God Save the King."

So, my expectation is, after this very complimentary speech, much praise to Britain, much praise to the special relationship. We're going to see

something from Charles very similar really kicking off the celebrations of 250 years of independence, saying what a great thing it is to celebrate the

independence of the United States.

But also, I think, Charles is both here as a representative of Britain, but also as a world leader on a world stage. And I think he does very much want

to make statements about unity, statements about coming together. He is going to make those about the special relationship U.S.-U.K.

But I expect him to talk about the importance of institutions to uphold democracy in a difficult world. That's what I expect to see him saying.

They are oblique. They are subtle. They are veiled, but they are as political as he can be. And his point at this most difficult time for

international relations is that we must trust in institutions, and that would also include NATO.

GOLODRYGA: So, much of what we've learned about President Trump is that for him, relationships matter, even more so than diplomatic ties, at times, his

personal relationship with world leaders.

So, assuming things go and continue to go well here and we see the -- the cordial relations between the two, the president really extending an

invitation for the -- the King and Queen in a way that he hasn't for many other visiting dignitaries from around the world and political leaders. Ad

he's been really invested in this visit as well.

[12:40:14]

Who ultimately reaps the -- the political reward from this though, assuming this trip continues well for the King? Is it the royal family itself? Is it

perhaps the prime minister?

WILLIAMS: The reward really, the aim is to improve the special relationship which is battered because the Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President

Trump do not see eye-to-eye and will not see eye-to-eye because they disagree, you know, deeply over the war in Iran. So, that is the aim to

create this special relationship.

The -- the role of the monarchy is really soft power. That's why Elizabeth II came to the United States eight times during her reign. And also just

when she became queen, not too long after in 1957, she came in the aftermath of the Suez Canal crisis. Britain had tried to seize the Suez

Canal, much to the anger of President Eisenhower.

Now, we understand they didn't have any political discussions at the time in 1957. They reminisced about old times when President Eisenhower was in

the United Kingdom, but that really created a good relationship, a good basis for going forward because the U.K. really does need the U.S. Let's --

let's be honest about it. The U.K. does need the U.S. in terms of a special relationship of a trading partner, as a diplomatic partner, as in terms of

partner through friendship.

And I think President Trump, as you say, he's enjoyed the pageantry. It was unprecedented, the military review that took place. They -- these footage

you're showing at the moment, this military review that took place from the balcony of white -- of the White House with revolutionary troops in

revolutionary uniform, playing revolutionary songs, this all harked back to the American Revolution, to the -- the relationship of the American

Revolution, which for many was a moment of, you know, absolute oppression of Britain and America freeing itself.

But for President Trump, he presented it in this way of, you know, the British, the tree -- the tree that Elizabeth II had planted was very

similar. The tree had been planted by British hands in American soil like America itself.

So it is an important, significant moment. And I have to say, I think that it may not create, who knows, it may not create the political, perhaps, a

future that Keir Starmer may desire, that's why the King is here.

But I think in terms of President Trump, I think it's going to be something that he looks back on with great fondness. And certainly for Charles, it's

the biggest challenge of his diplomatic career. This is how he's going to be judged.

And I think certainly that President Trump's polling, which is very low in the United Kingdom, is going to go up as a consequence of the state visit

and particularly of his speech today.

GOLODRYGA: We'll be following that speech here at CNN. Obviously, a state dinner tonight as well that the president has played an expanded role, we

are reporting, in organizing.

Kate Williams, thank you so much.

We'll be right back with more.

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[12:45:49]

GOLODRYGA: All right. Let's go check on how U.S. markets are doing right now. The Dow up a less than one-tenth of a percentage point, basically

flat. The S&P 500 down also flat. And the NASDAQ down a little over one percentage point right now. This is your business breakout.

The price of Brent Crude oil rose above $110 a barrel for the first time in three weeks today. Some analysts are saying prices are now being driven by

actual supply shortages rather than speculation about developments in the war with Iran.

Nearly one in three Americans who reported losing money to a scam last year say that it started on social media. That's according to a report from the

Federal Trade Commission, which says reported losses reached a staggering $2.1 billion, an eightfold increase since 2020.

Taylor Swift is taking new legal steps to protect her voice and image from A.I. The pop superstar has filed trademark applications in the U.S.

covering two audio clips of her voice and a stage image from her Eras tour. The move comes as A.I. tools increasingly generate realistic celebrity

audio and visuals.

All right. Still to come for us, a royal welcome at the White House for Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla. We'll take a closer look after

another quick break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GOLODRYGA: Returning to our top story now, the state visit of Britain's King Charles to Washington.

U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania welcomed the King and Queen Camilla to the White House.

In a speech, Trump paid warm tribute to the royal family before he sat down with the King for a bilateral meeting. The King and Queen are still at the

White House now.

[12:50:05]

In the next hour, King Charles will be making his way to Capitol Hill to deliver a historic address to Congress.

Let's bring in CNN's Richard Quest. He is live in New York.

And, Richard, at the time when relations between Washington and London particularly between Keir Starmer and President Trump are at they're are

all-time lows, these two particular leaders, what do you think it is about the president and his reverence for the royal family and King Charles that

allows him to separate these two people, these two dignitaries and his approach is striking.

RICHARD QUEST, CNN BUSINESS EDITOR-AT-LARGE: Well, I can sum it up. What you've put your finger on is the exact purpose raison d'etre, if you will,

the way in which constitutional monarchy works.

So, here you have the king that you can wheel out as the best of British, completely divorced from any policies of the government of the day.

And don't forget, of course, King Charles has a weekly audience with his Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Every week, religiously, wherever they are in

the country, they will meet.

So -- and by the way, that is one of the most private meetings anywhere in -- in the U.K. No one knows what's said, no one knows what happens. It's

(INAUDIBLE) all the way.

Now look at the picture of the two of them here. Here you have two very different men of a roughly the same age. But they have a commonality of

what they've lived through, through the times they lived through, through the Second World War, the president's mother and her Scottish heritage, the

king and his love of Scotland and Balmoral.

You know, they're very different, but there is a -- a core, if you will, where they will be able to find common ground.

GOLODRYGA: And a shared ancestry, apparently, a very distant relatives there, leading the president to post on Truth Social this morning that he

always wanted to live at Buckingham Palace.

This comes after the president was so warmly received at Windsor Palace. What can we expect to see tonight at the state dinner?

QUEST: Oh, oh. Assuming, assuming the president doesn't put his foot in it by trying to make a witty joke or he make some inappropriate comment, which

I -- I'm guessing would not happen. You're going to see the very best.

A white tie dinner. Each administration only has a few of them during the course of the years, and this will be one of them. It will be -- it will

throw everything, including the White House kitchen sink at it; the flowers, the music, the wine, the entertainment.

This -- and, of course, Trump will remind us that this sort of all would be much better in a ballroom rather than however they're going to do it.

But, you know, over the years, Bianna, I've covered many -- Americans go a little bit weird when the royals arrive. I sometimes think it's either sort

of, we got rid of you, yah boo sucks, versus, oh, my goodness, I wish we hadn't got rid of you.

It's a pendulum. They can't quite decide where they want to step on it. But tonight's going to be a good example of just the very, very best of that

Anglo-American relationship that -- that's truly the best.

GOLODRYGA: And before that, we're going to see the King address a joint session of Congress, the first British monarch to do so in 1991.

What do we know about his -- about his manner in giving speeches --

QUEST: Yes.

GOLODRYGA: -- and what we can expect to see in the next hour?

QUEST: He's not one of the world's great orators, so don't expect anything hugely rousing. He speaks quite slowly and he'll be looking at his notes

and making sure.

But -- but what you're going to get, he's going to be talking past the president, through the Congress and right down to the American people.

And the message is clear from what I've seen of the advance. Listen, we disagree on things. We will always disagree on things, but that doesn't

mean to say that this isn't the closest relationship. We've got your back, you've got ours. And when all the other nonsense people around us have, you

know, you and I will still be there talking to each other. That's going to be the thrust of the message. I'll put money on it.

GOLODRYGA: So, would you put money on what Congressman Ro Khanna suggested that perhaps the King would even reference to Jeffrey Epstein scandal in

this speech?

QUEST: You'll -- he is not going to do it in the way that maybe the congressman would like.

Is there going to be a veiled reference about difficult times, sticking to blah, blah? Yes, possibly.

But he is -- look, if he goes for the Epstein, if he goes for the Epstein reference in a very obvious way, it will be arguably difficult for the

president. It will be difficult for some.

[12:55:10]

They chose not to meet with any of the survivors. They're doing domestic abuse tomorrow up in Harlem and up in New York and then again on Thursday.

I think that the Epstein reference, if it's there, will be visible to those who want to see it. But it's not going to be walking in front with a --

now, by all means, Bianna, by all means, I may be wrong, in which case, choose your restaurant and I'll buy you dinner.

GOLODRYGA: OK. I -- I'm sticking with you, Richard. I think it would be quite stunning and quite a big risk towards the King.

QUEST: You know, I cannot -- I cannot, cannot conceive the word Epstein passing the King's lips in his speech. There, I've put my -- I've nailed my

colors. I might be wrong, but I just don't think -- I just can't see it, could you?

GOLODRYGA: No. I'm nailing my colors right there next to you, Richard. If we're -- if we're wrong, we'll -- we'll address all of this tomorrow on the

show as well.

In the meantime, you'll be following it all for us closely. Richard, great to have you on. Thank Always.

QUEST: Always. Always. Thank you.

GOLODRYGA: And that does it for this hour of "One World." Thanks so much for watching. I'm Bianna Golodryga. I'll be right back with "Amanpour"

after a quick break.

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[13:00:00]

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