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Royal Tea Faux Pas: Reagan Was 'Horrified'!
25 Apr
Summary
- President Reagan was horrified by a tea bag left in King Charles's cup.
- Reagan noted the royal's discomfort in his diary in May 1981.
- King Charles will return to the White House in April 2026 for a state visit.
In 1981, President Ronald Reagan experienced a diplomatic "faux pas" when Prince Charles (now King Charles) visited the White House. Reagan was horrified to see that the tea served to the Prince still contained a tea bag, which Charles evidently did not drink.
Reagan documented this awkward moment in his diary on May 1, 1981, noting Charles's discomfort and his own uncertainty on how to address the situation. Despite this incident, the Prince of Wales, accompanied by Princess Diana, made another visit to the White House in 1985 for their first joint state visit.
Looking ahead, King Charles is scheduled for another state visit to the United States in late April 2026. This visit coincides with the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of American Independence.
Historically, relations between British monarchs and U.S. presidents have been marked by gestures of friendship, such as King George III's willingness to "meet the friendship" of the U.S. as an independent power and Queen Victoria's extensive correspondence and gift of the Resolute Desk.
