Rupert Murdoch Joins Trump at Royal Dinner: What It Means Amid the Epstein Lawsuit | CNN Politics

When President Donald Trump steps into St. George’s Hall for a grand dinner at Windsor Castle, he’ll find Rupert Murdoch seated nearby. It’s a curious situation since Trump is suing Murdoch over an article in the Wall Street Journal that referenced a birthday letter linked to Jeffrey Epstein. Trump claims he didn’t sign it and threatened to take legal action before the article was published.

Despite this legal clash, Murdoch and his wife, Elena, were invited to the dinner. This exclusive event, attended by about 160 guests chosen by the Royal Family and the White House, is a significant occasion. The Royal Family decides the seating arrangements, placing Trump between King Charles III and the Princess of Wales, while First Lady Melania Trump will sit across the table next to Queen Camilla.

Interestingly, former UK ambassador to the US, Peter Mandelson, won’t be present. He was recently dismissed after his connections to Epstein came to light.

Other notable guests include leaders from tech and finance, such as Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, and Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock. With ongoing discussions about US-UK trade relations, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will sit next to Queen Camilla, reflecting the importance of these connections.

The dinner’s presentation showcases royal traditions with over 100 staff serving guests. The ornate table features bright flowers and 130 candles, designed to impress. Each place setting includes three forks, three knives, and an array of wine glasses.

The menu is equally lavish, featuring starters like panna cotta de cresson and a main course of organic Norfolk chicken ballotine. For dessert, guests will enjoy a vanilla ice cream bombe with raspberry sorbet. Royal chef Mark Flanagan highlighted the use of seasonal ingredients, noting the menu is curated with King Charles’s diverse tastes in mind.

Flanagan also revealed that he coordinates with the White House chef, blending culinary styles to respect the visiting country’s tradition while ensuring it suits royal preferences.

The preparation takes a week, showcasing meticulous planning that goes into royal banquets. As the world watches this event, it’s a blend of diplomacy, tradition, and culinary art, reflecting not just royal etiquette, but the ongoing complexities of international relations.



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