Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK has sparked an unexpected reaction online — not over politics or pageantry, but over age.
The US President, 79, and King Charles III, 76, spent much of yesterday side by side during a day of royal engagements at Windsor Castle. From military parades and musical performances to a lavish state banquet, the two world leaders were photographed together throughout the visit, often smiling in full formal attire.
Photos of the pair in tuxedos, shared widely online and on the official White House Instagram account, quickly triggered a wave of surprise among viewers. Many admitted they had assumed Charles was the elder, despite the King already holding the record as the oldest monarch to ascend the British throne.
“Hard to believe that Trump is actually older than King Charles,” one user posted. Another wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Charles looks like he could be Trump’s father, age-wise.”
The difference in appearance left others equally startled. “Unbelievably, Trump is two years older than King Charles,” another commented.
The viral photos also prompted speculation about Trump’s smile. Some suggested he may have undergone teeth whitening for the high-profile visit, while others joked the images looked digitally brightened. “The FaceTune teeth whitening was a massive fail,” one person quipped. “You’re fired!”
Despite the online chatter, the Windsor banquet itself was all elegance. Trump and First Lady Melania joined the King and Queen, alongside the Prince and Princess of Wales and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, for an evening that combined political formality with royal spectacle.