Beneath gilded portraits and suits of armour in Windsor Castle, 160 guests wined and dined at a lavish banquet to fete US President Donald Trump's unprecedented second state visit to the UK on Wednesday evening.
Along with the impeccable table settings, three-course meal and custom cocktail, who was there and, just as importantly, who was seated next to who is carefully planned, since the event is as much about diplomacy as it is about fine dining.
This year's guest list was conspicuously missing screen stars or celebrity faces, with not even royal perennials like Sir David Beckham or Sir Elton John attending.
Instead, the list was mostly royals, tech and finance executives, and politicos from both sides of the Atlantic.
From Trump's seat of honour at the centre of the table, next to his host King Charles III, those up and down the table ranged from lesser-known but influential White House players to professional golfers.
Notable guests included Apple's Tim Cook, Nvidia's Jensen Huang, and OpenAI's Sam Altman, underscoring the significant presence of business leaders in fostering US-UK ties. This social engagement revealed the balancing act of diplomacy, commerce, and cultural exchange, emphasizing how modern politics intertwines with executive influence.
As these prominent individuals mingled, discussions touched upon future investments—a staggering £150 billion—signifying a deepening economic relationship, and perhaps a few concerns over dependency on tech giants.
The banquet was not just a display of luxury but a significant intersection of influence where financial might meets royal protocol, marking an ongoing dialogue about the geopolitical landscape.
