U.S.-UK Gift History: From Brooch to Queen’s iPod

The U.S., born from rebellion against British monarchy, has maintained long-standing diplomatic relations over nearly two centuries. Presidents and monarchs have exchanged gifts during diplomatic visits, some infamous like Bush’s golf cart-sized electric vehicle in 2008, others fitting such as King Charles’ bell from HMS Trump to President Trump.

The most iconic gift from the U.K. to a U.S. president was the Resolute Desk, gifted by Queen Victoria to Rutherford B. Hayes in 1880. Made from wood of the HMS Resolute, it has been used by every president since except Johnson, Nixon and Ford.

During Obama’s visit to the U.K. in May 2011, he gave the queen a leather-bound album with rare memorabilia and photographs from her parents’ King George VI and Queen Elizabeth’s 1939 visit to the U.S.

Trump, a known admirer of the British royal family, gifted Queen Elizabeth a pewter horse during his first official visit to the U.K. in July 2018. Trump has since visited the royal family three times during his first term and once during his second term.

King Charles surprised Trump with a bell from HMS Trump on Tuesday. The HMS Trump was one of 53 T-class submarines launched between 1944-45, all bearing names beginning with ‘T’. Queen Camilla wore a brooch featuring Union Jack and Stars and Stripes flags presented to Queen Elizabeth during her first visit to the U.S. in 1957.