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  4. King Charles has met 10 US presidents. Photos show their relationships through the years.

King Charles has met 10 US presidents. Photos show their relationships through the years.

Talia Lakritz   

King Charles has met 10 US presidents. Photos show their relationships through the years.
King Charles (then Prince of Wales) on a brief visit to Washington, meets with President Ronald Reagan in the Oval Office.Wally McNamee/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images
  • King Charles III has met 10 US presidents, from Dwight Eisenhower to Joe Biden.
  • Richard Nixon tried to set Charles up with his daughter Tricia, and he grew close to Nancy Reagan.

For decades, royal family members and US presidential families have visited each other's residences, hosted state dinners in each other's honor, and corresponded during times of celebration and mourning, a testament to the "special relationship" between the two countries.

Queen Elizabeth II met 12 US presidents during her lifetime. Her son and successor, King Charles III, has met 10.

Photos show how Charles' relationships with US presidents have developed and changed through the years.

Charles was 10 when he met President Dwight Eisenhower at Balmoral Castle in Scotland during a laid-back visit in 1959.

Charles was 10 when he met President Dwight Eisenhower at Balmoral Castle in Scotland during a laid-back visit in 1959.
President Dwight Eisenhower (center) with British Royal family members Prince Philip, Princess Anne, Queen Elizabeth, King Charles (then Prince of Wales), and Captain John Eisenhower at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.      Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

The New York Times described the visit as informal, with the Queen driving Eisenhower around the estate and treating him to a picnic lunch on the shores of a lake.

He greeted President Richard Nixon at Buckingham Palace in 1969 during the president's first foreign trip in office.

He greeted President Richard Nixon at Buckingham Palace in 1969 during the president
President Nixon stands with Queen Elizabeth during a meeting at Buckingham Palace. King Charles (then Prince of Wales) and Prince Philip stand with Princess Anne behind them.      Bettmann/Contributor/Getty Images

Nixon met with Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Charles, and Anne, who hosted a luncheon at the palace in his honor.

The following year, Charles visited the Nixons at the White House.

The following year, Charles visited the Nixons at the White House.
President Richard Nixon and first lady Pat Nixon welcome King Charles (then Prince of Wales) and Princess Anne to the White House.      Bettmann/Contributor/Getty Images

Nixon gave Charles and Anne a tour of the balcony of the South Portico.

Charles later revealed that Nixon tried to set him up with his daughter Tricia.

Charles later revealed that Nixon tried to set him up with his daughter Tricia.
King Charles (then Prince of Wales) with Tricia Nixon at a baseball game in Washington in July 1970.      Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix via Getty Images

Charles and Tricia Nixon toured the Washington Monument and attended a baseball game together.

"That was quite amusing, I must say," Charles told CNN in 2021 of Nixon's matchmaking efforts.

He met President Jimmy Carter at the 1977 G7 Summit.

He met President Jimmy Carter at the 1977 G7 Summit.
World leaders at the G7 Summit. King Charles (then Prince of Wales) is second from the left in the background, Jimmy Carter is third from the right.      Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

The third G7 Summit was attended by the leaders of Canada, France, Italy, West Germany, Japan, the UK, and the US.

President Ronald Reagan called Charles "a most likable person" after meeting with him at the White House in 1981.

President Ronald Reagan called Charles "a most likable person" after meeting with him at the White House in 1981.
King Charles (then Prince of Wales) on a brief visit to Washington, meets with President Ronald Reagan in the Oval Office.      Wally McNamee/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

Reagan wrote in his diary that White House ushers committed the faux pas of serving the prince tea from a tea bag instead of loose-leaf tea, according to The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute.

"It finally dawned on me that he was just holding the cup and then finally put it down on a table. I didn't know what to do," Reagan wrote.

Charles welcomed the Reagans to the UK during an official visit in 1982.

Charles welcomed the Reagans to the UK during an official visit in 1982.
King Charles (then Prince of Wales), Prince Philip, and Queen Elizabeth welcome President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan at Windsor Castle during an official visit to the UK.      Larry Downing/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images

The Reagans became the first US presidential couple to stay at Windsor Castle, according to the National Archives, and they attended a black-tie dinner at the castle, as well.

The Reagans returned the favor in 1985 by hosting then-Prince Charles and Princess Diana at a White House state dinner.

The Reagans returned the favor in 1985 by hosting then-Prince Charles and Princess Diana at a White House state dinner.
King Charles (then Prince of Wales), Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan, and Princess Diana at a White House state dinner.      Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

Diana famously danced with John Travolta during the event.

Charles later wrote in a letter to Nancy Reagan: "Diana still hasn't got over dancing with John Travolta, Neil Diamond and Clint Eastwood in one evening, not to mention the President of the United States as well!"

Charles became particularly close with Nancy Reagan and they kept in touch through letters until her death in 2016.

Charles became particularly close with Nancy Reagan and they kept in touch through letters until her death in 2016.
President Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan at the White House with Princess Diana and King Charles (then Prince of Wales).      DON RYPKA/AFP via Getty Images

In one letter to the first lady, Charles opened up about his doomed marriage to Diana.

"One day I will tell you the whole story," he wrote in a letter dated June 21, 1992, People magazine reported. "It is a kind of Greek tragedy and would certainly make a very good play!"

Charles attended Ronald Reagan's funeral in Washington, DC, in 2004.

Charles attended Ronald Reagan
King Charles (then Prince of Wales) and Margaret Thatcher leave the National Cathedral following the state funeral of former President Ronald Reagan.      Christy Bowe/ImageCatcher News Service/Corbis via Getty Images

Charles was accompanied by former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and then-Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Charles first met George H.W. Bush while he was serving as Reagan's vice president.

Charles first met George H.W. Bush while he was serving as Reagan
King Charles (then Prince of Wales) and Princess Diana meet Vice President George Bush and Barbara Bush at the British Ambassador's Residence during an official visit to the US.      Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

Charles and Diana dined with then-Vice President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush at the British Ambassador's Residence in 1985.

They reunited in 1989 during Bush's own presidency.

They reunited in 1989 during Bush
President George Bush, first lady Barbara Bush, and King Charles (then Prince of Wales) at Camp David.      Jean-Louis Atlan/Sygma via Getty Images

Charles joined the Bushes for dinner at Camp David.

Charles and Bush continued to see each other at official events even after Bush was no longer president.

Charles and Bush continued to see each other at official events even after Bush was no longer president.
King Charles (then Prince of Wales) and George H.W. Bush watch the flypast at the rededication ceremony of the American Air Museum of Great Britain at the Imperial War Museum.      Andrew Parsons - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images

In 2002, both Bush and Charles attended a rededication ceremony for the American Air Museum of Great Britain in Cambridgeshire.

Charles attended George H.W. Bush's funeral in 2018 on Queen Elizabeth's behalf.

Charles attended George H.W. Bush
King Charles (then Prince of Wales) is greeted by Karen Pence and Vice President Mike Pence at George H.W. Bush's funeral.      BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

Charles, who was greeted by then-Vice President Mike Pence at the National Cathedral, was seated next to former British Prime Minister John Major during the service, Harper's Bazaar reported.

President Bill Clinton and Charles were both in attendance at Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin's funeral after his assassination in 1995.

President Bill Clinton and Charles were both in attendance at Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin
King Charles, then Prince of Wales (first row, third from left) and President Bill Clinton (first row, second from right) attend Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin's funeral.      ZOOM 77/AFP via Getty Images

Charles and Clinton were seated in the front row alongside leaders from France, Germany, Egypt, and the Netherlands.

First lady Hillary Clinton represented the US at Diana's funeral in 1997.

First lady Hillary Clinton represented the US at Diana
Hillary Clinton leaves Westminster Abbey after the funeral service for Princess Diana.      Jayne Fincher/Getty Images

Bill Clinton did not attend the service since it was not an official state funeral, CNN reported.

Charles also worked with Hillary Clinton in her role as secretary of state.

Charles also worked with Hillary Clinton in her role as secretary of state.
King Charles (then Prince of Wales) and Queen Camilla (then Duchess of Cornwall) speak with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at St James's Palace.      Toby Melville/WPA Poll/Getty Images

In 2009, Hillary Clinton attended a meeting with world leaders hosted by Charles at St James's Palace to address environmental issues and the global climate crisis before the G20 summit.

President George W. Bush attended banquets with Charles during his state visit to the UK in 2003.

President George W. Bush attended banquets with Charles during his state visit to the UK in 2003.
President George W. Bush and Laura Bush speak with King Charles (then Prince of Wales) at a banquet at Winfield House.      Tim Graham Picture Library/Getty Images

The Bushes' visit marked the first time a US president was hosted by the royal family since the Reagans' trip in 1982.

They attended a state dinner at Buckingham Palace and hosted a banquet in return at Winfield House, the American ambassador's residence, to thank the royal family for their hospitality.

Two years later, the Bushes hosted Charles and Camilla for a state dinner at the White House.

Two years later, the Bushes hosted Charles and Camilla for a state dinner at the White House.
President George W. Bush, Queen Camilla (then Duchess of Cornwall), first lady Laura Bush, and King Charles (then Prince of Wales), pose at the White House as they arrive for a state dinner.      Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The state dinner menu included buffalo tenderloin, a salad with Vermont camembert cheese and spiced walnuts, and petit fours cake for dessert, according to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum.

In his remarks, Charles said that returning to the White House brought back "many fond and happy memories" of his first visit with Anne in 1970, "when the media were busy trying to marry me off to Tricia Nixon."

Charles first met President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama at a 2009 reception for G20 leaders at Buckingham Palace.

Charles first met President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama at a 2009 reception for G20 leaders at Buckingham Palace.
King Charles (then Prince of Wales) and Queen Camilla (then Duchess of Cornwall) speak with President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama at Buckingham Palace.      KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH/AFP via Getty Images

The G20 leaders discussed responses to the global financial and economic crisis.

Charles met with Obama at the White House in 2011 ahead of the president's first state visit to the UK.

Charles met with Obama at the White House in 2011 ahead of the president
President Barack Obama speaks with Prince Charles in the Oval Office.      SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

During the US visit, which occurred shortly after Prince William and Kate Middleton's royal wedding, Obama congratulated Charles and joked that he wouldn't have been able to handle the pressure of such a large ceremony since his 1992 wedding to Michelle Obama had just 300 guests.

Charles spent more time with the Obamas during their UK state visit.

Charles spent more time with the Obamas during their UK state visit.
President Barack Obama speaks to Prince Charles as they leave Winfield House.      Dominic Lipinski/AFP via Getty Images

Charles and the Obamas met at Winfield House and attended a state dinner at Buckingham Palace.

At a commemorative D-Day ceremony in 2014, Obama appeared to salute Charles in his military uniform, eliciting a chuckle from the then-Prince of Wales.

At a commemorative D-Day ceremony in 2014, Obama appeared to salute Charles in his military uniform, eliciting a chuckle from the then-Prince of Wales.
President Barack Obama greets King Charles (then Prince of Wales) during a ceremony to commemorate the 70th anniversary of D-Day 70 on Sword Beach in Ouistreham, France.      Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The ceremony marked the 70th anniversary of D-Day.

During another White House visit in 2015, Obama was overheard telling Charles that Americans like the royal family "much better than their own politicians."

During another White House visit in 2015, Obama was overheard telling Charles that Americans like the royal family "much better than their own politicians."
King Charles (then Prince of Wales) smiles with President Barack Obama in the Oval Office.      Chris Jackson/Getty Images

"I don't believe that," Charles was heard replying in footage captured by CBS News in the Oval Office.

Charles encountered President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump at social events in New York City long before they entered politics.

Charles encountered President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump at social events in New York City long before they entered politics.
King Charles (then Prince of Wales) chats with Donald Trump and Melania Trump.      Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Charles was photographed chatting with the Trumps in 2005 at a reception hosted by the Museum of Modern Art.

As president, Trump remained skeptical about Charles' environmental causes.

As president, Trump remained skeptical about Charles
President Donald Trump reacts as King Charles (then Prince of Wales) picks up a photographer's flash diffuser.      VICTORIA JONES/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

In a June 2019 meeting at Clarence House during a state visit, the two leaders discussed the climate crisis, which Trump has been dubious of.

In 2018, Trump said he didn't believe his own administration's report about the economic impact of the climate crisis, and dismissed a question about human activity contributing to the climate crisis in 2022 by saying "the climate has always been changing."

Trump told ITV that his meeting with Charles was scheduled to last 15 minutes, but went on for an hour and a half.

Charles "did most of the talking," though Trump did say that he told the then-Prince of Wales that the US "has among the cleanest climates there are."

"He is really into climate change, and I think that's great. I totally listened to him," Trump told ITV.

Trump continued: "What he really wants, and what he really feels warmly about, is the future. He wants to make sure future generations have climate that is good climate, as opposed to a disaster. And I agree."

But in her memoir, "I'll Take Your Questions Now," former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham wrote that, after the meeting, Trump had rolled his eyes and complained that their "terrible" conversation consisted of "nothing but climate change."

A Clarence House spokesperson told CNN that Trump and Charles had developed a "good working relationship" following another meeting in December 2019.

A Clarence House spokesperson told CNN that Trump and Charles had developed a "good working relationship" following another meeting in December 2019.
King Charles (then Prince of Wales) and Queen Camilla (then Duchess of Cornwall) meet President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump at Clarence House.      Victoria Jones - WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Trumps stopped by Clarence House for another short visit while in the UK for a NATO summit.

President Joe Biden got to know Charles while serving as Obama's vice president.

President Joe Biden got to know Charles while serving as Obama
President Barack Obama and then-Vice President Joseph R. Biden with King Charles (then Prince of Wales) and Queen Camilla (then Duchess of Cornwall) in the Oval Office.      BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

Biden joined Charles and Camilla in the Oval Office during their 2015 visit to the US.

After Queen Elizabeth's death in 2022, Biden assured the new king that his late mother would "be with him every step of the way."

After Queen Elizabeth
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden at the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth.      Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

The Bidens paid their respects by visiting the Queen's coffin at Westminster Hall, signing the official condolence book at Lancaster House, and attending her state funeral.

"Our hearts go out to the royal family — King Charles and all the family," Biden told reporters. "It's a loss that leaves a giant hole. And sometimes you think you'll never overcome it. But as I've told the king, she's going to be with him every step of the way — every minute, every moment. And that's a reassuring notion."

In May 2023, Jill Biden attended Charles' coronation without her husband — no US president has ever attended one.

In May 2023, Jill Biden attended Charles
First lady Jill Biden and her granddaughter Finnegan arrive at Westminster Abbey ahead of the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla.      Andrew Matthews/Pool via AP

Trump blasted Biden as "very disrespectful" for skipping Charles' coronation, but US presidents have historically sent delegations and never attended the event themselves.

In July 2023, Biden met with Charles at Windsor Castle to discuss the climate crisis.

In July 2023, Biden met with Charles at Windsor Castle to discuss the climate crisis.
President Joe Biden receives a ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle.      Jonathan Brady - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Biden and Charles met privately before holding a larger gathering with investors and philanthropists to discuss renewable energy and deforestation among other issues, the White House said in a statement.

Biden appeared to break royal etiquette rules by touching the king's arm and putting his hand on his back, but Charles returned the gesture.

Biden appeared to break royal etiquette rules by touching the king
President Joe Biden places his arm on King Charles' back during a ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle.      ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

Former royal butler Grant Harrold, who worked for Charles between 2004 and 2011, previously told Business Insider that touching a royal family member when they didn't initiate contact with a movement like a handshake is considered a breach of royal etiquette.

Charles didn't seem to mind — he was seen returning the gesture as the two leaders walked side by side.

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