King’s remarks put NATO on visit agenda

In between the jokes and laughs shared by Donald Trump and King Charles, day two of the state visit hinted at a clash of attitudes towards Nato.

The King spoke about his time in the Royal Navy to praise the benefits of military ties between the US and UK during his speech to the US Congress.

He also pointed out that the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York triggered the one and only use of the military alliance's Article 5 mutual defence pact.

Donald Trump has frequently been a Nato sceptic, wondering aloud last month whether allies "would ever be there" for the US in the context of the Iran war.

He has also criticised British naval capacity, calling its ships "toys" and saying UK aircraft carriers "didn't work".

The King returned to the theme of Nato during his toast at a state dinner later in the day, saying the alliance is important in an "increasingly complex and contested world".

-BBC