King Charles III on Tuesday used a state dinner at the White House to joke about President Donald Trump demolishing the East Wing to make way for his $400 million ballroom.
“On this occasion, I cannot help noticing the readjustments to the East Wing, Mr. President,” said the king while just a few feet from where the president and first lady Melania Trump were seated.
“And I’m sorry to say that we British, of course, made our own small attempt at real estate redevelopment of the White House in 1814.”
The king’s joke refers to British troops setting the presidential mansion on fire during the burning of the nation’s capital in the War of 1812.
The line seemingly got a kick out of the president, who appeared to smile and chuckle along with his wife.
Before troops arrived in 1814, the White House was evacuated and — with the help of first lady Dolley Madison — cleared of government documents as well as a portrait of George Washington, per the nonprofit White House Historical Association.
No one was hurt in the blaze. The original White House architect, James Hoban, along with free and enslaved people, worked to restore the building in the years after, per the group.
The king’s quip arrived just days after a shooting outside the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, an event that Republicans have used to justify the construction of the ballroom for national security reasons.
Later in his speech, Charles pointed out that his family’s history can be seen in a number of sites across the U.S. including Virginia, Maryland, the Carolinas and the city of Charleston.
He added that “our French friends can feel equally at home” before turning his attention to Trump’s claim that European countries “would be speaking German” if not for America’s help in World War II.
“Dare I say that, if it wasn’t for us, you’d be speaking French,” said Charles in a nod to Britain’s role in defeating France during the Seven Years’ War.
