King Charles the Trump Whisperer - Inside the (White House) Palace

GB News' Royal Correspondent Cameron Walker has provided his exclusive insight into the relationship between King Charles and Donald Trump following the US State Visit, the impact of armed security when covering the King and Queen's engagements in America, and how the Prince and Princess of Wales have welcomed a new addition to their family.

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KING CHARLES THE TRUMP WHISPERER

The four-day State Visit to the United States of America was arguably the biggest diplomatic test of King Charles's reign so far, and certainly his most important overseas visit.

Not only was the UK-US "Special Relationship" under threat ahead of time, caused by the very public spat between President Trump and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, but there were fears Britain had become less influential than it once was on the world stage.

His Majesty The King personifies Britain - representing our country on the global stage in an era when global superpowers are asserting dominance.

Our tiny island nation once controlled a significant portion of the world's landmass, and this week King Charles commemorated 250 years since part of it became a republic.

It's no secret that President Trump already adores our King and Queen.

Watching the President interact with His Majesty in person only solidified that fact; there are not many people in the world who make President Trump not feel like the most important person in the room.

He clearly had great admiration for King Charles, gladly laughing and joking together as His Majesty wielded his soft power.

The King's speech to a joint session of the US Congress was praised by both Republicans and Democrats, receiving 13 standing ovations.

President Trump later told reporters: "He made a great speech", adding that he was "very jealous". The US President later joked how the King "got the Democrats to stand", something Mr Trump has never managed to do.

Away from Washington's political elite, it was clear ordinary Americans had a huge affection for the royals.

When we arrived in rural Virginia, in the town aptly named Front Royal, we were shocked to discover thousands of people queuing for their chance to greet Their Majesties.

Many told me they had been queuing since 7am for an engagement that didn't start until the early afternoon.

The American block party, equivalent to a British street party, allowed the King to celebrate with locals - even bringing along some Coronation Quiche and Victoria Sponge Cake to share with the community.

The atmosphere was positive, and many were waving American and British flags.

It was towards the end of the engagement that the first tangible evidence emerged that His Majesty's royal soft power was beginning to work.

On Truth Social, the President posted: "In Honor of the King and Queen of the United Kingdom, who have just left the White House, soon headed back to their wonderful Country, I will be removing the Tariffs and Restrictions on Whiskey having to do with Scotland’s ability to work with the Commonwealth of Kentucky on Whiskey and Bourbon, two very important Industries within Scotland and Kentucky.

"People have wanted to do this for a long time, in that there had been great Inter-Country Trade, especially having to do with the Wooden Barrels used.

"The King and Queen got me to do something that nobody else was able to do, without hardly even asking! A wonderful Honor to have them both in the U.S.A. President DONALD J. TRUMP".

In response, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: "The King has been informed of President Trump’s warm gesture and sends his sincere gratitude for a decision that will make an important difference to the British whisky industry and the livelihoods it supports.

"His Majesty will be raising a dram to the President’s thoughtfulness and generous hospitality as he departs the US after a most enjoyable State Visit for both Their Majesties in this special anniversary year."

So there you have it: the King and Queen got the President of the United States of America to do something for Britain that politicians had failed to do.

Mark Kent, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), told Scottish Financial News that the deal represented “a significant boost for the Scotch Whisky industry in our most valuable export market”.

I understand the Foreign Secretary and British diplomats were locked in intense talks behind the scenes during the State Visit on a whole variety of issues, so perhaps more good news is still to come.

However, the King's diplomatic power play can only go so far; big differences remain between the Trump administration and the Labour Government.

The President appeared to drag His Majesty into a political minefield, claiming he would have supported America's actions in Iran, in contrast to Sir Keir Starmer's position.

The King may have cemented the relationship between the US President and the United Kingdom, but he appeared unable to bridge the gap between Mr Trump and Sir Keir.

STREETS ON LOCKDOWN WITH HEAVILY ARMED SECURITY DURING STATE VISIT

Following the assassination attempt on President Trump's life, Secret Service security, understandably, was tightened for the State Visit.

I have never felt so safe and unsafe at the same time.

Armed agents swamped us wherever we, the press, were being escorted to, and heavily armed SWAT teams and snipers were a constant presence.

At certain engagements in New York City, it wouldn't have surprised me if there were more guns in one building than there were in the entirety of London.

This also meant American royal fans were left disappointed in both Washington DC and New York City; the public was kept at least a block away.

Roads locked down, a heavy police presence, and screens obscuring a clear line of sight to the royals were commonplace.

It was hard enough getting us, the media, into the locations we needed to be.

Although I am grateful that the Secret Service kept everybody safe, it was a sad state of affairs that two US cities effectively went into lockdown because too many would-be assailants have access to guns.

A NEW DOGGO IN THE PALACE

It has long been rumoured that the Prince and Princess of Wales had adopted a second canine companion, after members of the public spotted two spaniels running around Prince William's feet close to Kensington Palace a few months ago.

Now, the future King and Queen have confirmed it - celebrating the first birthday of Otto on social media.

"Welcome to the family, Otto! 1 today," read the caption, accompanied by a picture of Otto, taken by The Princess of Wales.

Otto is a working cocker spaniel and the son of Orla, the Waleses' family pet, gifted by the princess's brother, James Middleton.

Otto was first officially spotted as a brown furry blur in the image released by Kensington Palace to mark the 15th anniversary of the Prince and Princess of Wales earlier this week.

I can confirm that Otto is a very good boy, sharing a birthday week with Princess Charlotte, who turns 11 today.