The historic ties between the US and the UK are a key factor in the King's speech, and he's illustrated that with a humourous story about former prime minister Winston Churchill, who he says was half American and a symbol of transatlantic heritage.

"Indeed, such was the closeness, that Sir Winston, whilst staying here in the White House, in those rooms you showed us upstairs, emerged naked from the bathtub to discover the door opening as President Roosevelt came in for a chat," the King says.

He went on: "With rapier wit, the President cast aside any embarrassment by declaring that, ‘the Prime Minister has nothing to conceal from the President of the United States'."

The King speaks of difficult moments in the world "even in more recent history".

He references his late mother Queen Elizabeth II's visit to the US in 1957.

"Not the least of her tasks were to put the 'special' back into our relationship after crisis in the Middle East," he says.

He continues: "Nearly 70 years on, it is hard to imagine anything like that happening today. But it is not hard to see how important the relationship remains, in matters both seen and unseen."

Image source, Reu

There's more humour from the King, who teases President Trump about the colonial past of the US.

“Indeed, you recently commented, Mr. President, that if it were not for the United States, European countries would be speaking German,” says the King.

“Dare I say that, if it wasn’t for us, you’d be speaking French…!"

He quickly adds that "of course, we both love our French cousins greatly".

The King has started his speech with a joke about Trump's much-discussed renovations to the White House.

"I cannot help noticing the ‘readjustments’ to the East Wing, Mr President, following your visit to Windsor Castle last year," says the King.

"I am sorry to say that we British, of course, made our own attempt at real estate redevelopment of the White House in 1814," he follows up, referring to British forces setting fire to the White House.

King Charles is now giving his toast.

He references the Trump family's links to the United Kingdom.

"I can only imagine the immense pride with which your own dear mother, indeed both your parents, must be looking down on the great office to which you have been elected for a historic second term," the King says.

The president has made a brief reference to conflict in the Middle East, and says the US is "doing very well" in its war with Iran.

"We have militarily defeated that particular opponent," says Trump.

"We are never going to let that opponent ever - Charles agrees with me, even more than I do - we're never going to let that opponent have a nuclear weapon."

The president goes on to say the US and UK have stood together "defiant and triumphant against the forces of communism, fascism and tyranny".

Image source, PA Media

Trump thanks the UK for the "great, great gift" of a rich inheritance, adding that most of Britain's former colonies do not know what they owe to the UK.

He says: "May our two countries stand together forever for justice and liberty."

Trump then offers a toast to 250 years of American freedom and to a "great man", King Charles.

Trump gives a shoutout to professional golfer Rory McIlroy, congratulating him on his recent win at the US Open.

He says McIlroy, who is from Northern Ireland, showed "unconquerable courage".

The crowd applauds, and then Trump returns to his speech.

Trump calls the history and bond between the US and UK "a friendship unlike any other on Earth", adding it is "very special and incredible".

He says American states and cities still bear the names of their UK links and references Queens, New York where he grew up.

The president says they are seated at dinner today to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, which he says is "a very big time in our country".

Speaking to the history of the US, Trump says that in the eyes of America's founders, the war of independence was fought not to reject British heritage, but instead to "reclaim it and perfect it".

"The Declaration of Independence was a miracle for the ages that sparked a far-reaching revolution in self government and human freedom," says the president.

Image source, PA Media

The Trumps and the royals have taken their places at the head table and the toast portion of the dinner has begun.

Trump kicks things off. He says it's a "great honour" to host the King and Queen at the White House.

"I want to congratulate Charles on having made a fantastic speech today at Congress," Trump says. "He got the Democrats to stand, I could never do that."

Image source, Reuters

Donald Trump is expected to kick off the White House state dinner with a speech, honouring King Charles and Queen Camilla's state visit.

Stay with us for the latest updates and watch live by clicking the link above.

We've just seen the full guest list for tonight state dinner.

Beyond the guests of honour, the King and Queen, the White House has invited dozens of people. This list includes the president's cabinet, the King's aides, US lawmakers, Supreme Court justices, and television hosts.

A few notable names out of the dozens invited:

• Amazon founder Jeff Bezos
• Apple CEO Tim Cook

• UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper
• Professional golfer Rory McIlroy
• US House Speaker Mike Johnson
• Fox News hosts Greg Gutfeld, Laura Ingraham and Bret Baier
• South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham

Sean Coughlan
Royal correspondent

Image source, PA Media

As someone unaccustomed to the White House, I couldn’t help notice some of the pictures on the wall, as I was going to the state dinner.

There was a pleasant, touristy one of President Trump in Windsor.

But what seemed more surprising was a picture of him with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as one with him and President Xi Jinping of China.

It puts the King’s speech defending Nato and calling for support for Ukraine into perspective.

Image source, Reuters

Donald Trump and Melania Trump have just descended the stairs inside the White House, followed by King Charles and Queen Camilla.

They have once again posed for photographs, standing on a red carpet beneath bright spotlights, before walking into the room where the dinner will be held.

We are expecting speeches to begin in the next 10 minutes or so.

As a reminder, a state dinner is an official banquet that provides the president and first lady the opportunity to honour the visiting head of state and his or her spouse in their official residence - the White House.

Tonight's state dinner is the final engagement of the day for King Charles and Queen Camilla, and will be hosted by Donald and Melania Trump in the East Room.

Both Trump and the King and expected to make speeches at the dinner.

Sean Coughlan
Royal correspondent

Image source, AFP via Getty Images

“It was a great speech, you made me very jealous,” said President Trump to King Charles, going into the state dinner at the White House.

The Trumps met the King and Queen at the entrance to the South Portico, flanked by soldiers.

Then they posed on a T-shaped red carpet for a phalanx of photographers, with no crowds or bystanders.

It’s a reminder how much this is a media event, with no contact with the regular public. It’s ceremony in a sealed box.

Image source, PA Media

The Queen is wearing a deep pink Fiona Clare evening gown, along with an amethyst and diamond necklace gifted by a former Duchess of Kent to Queen Victoria and then passed to Queen Mary.

The First Lady Melania Trump is wearing a pale delphinium pink silk strapless gown by Christian Dior Haute Couture, with off-white Dior suede gloves, and Dior pale delphinium silk pumps.

King Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived at the state dinner.

You can watch the event get under way if you click the 'watch live' button above.

Image source, PA Media