During King Charles and Queen Camilla’s state visit to the United States, much of the attention focused on President Donald Trump and the British monarch. However, First Lady Melania Trump and Queen Camilla also played important supporting roles throughout the visit.
The two women, who have met during previous state visits, spent time together while their husbands held private discussions. Although royal experts say they do not share a close personal relationship, both appeared comfortable carrying out the diplomatic duties expected of them.
One memorable moment occurred during a ceremonial military review on the White House South Lawn, held in heavy rain. As they prepared to sit down, Queen Camilla reportedly remarked, “Oh, it’s rather wet.” Melania agreed, prompting Camilla to joke, “We shall have soggy bottoms,” referring to the damp chair cushions.
According to lip-reading expert Nicola Hickling, Melania appeared confused by the expression and asked, “What did I just hear? Soggy bottoms?” before the pair shared a light-hearted moment.
The phrase “soggy bottom” is a well-known British expression popularized by the television show The Great British Bake Off, where it describes a pastry with an undercooked base. Camilla, known to be a fan of the program, seemingly used the phrase in jest, creating an amusing cultural exchange during an otherwise formal occasion.