President Trump on Tuesday inaccurately claimed that Queen Elizabeth II reviewed her honor guard for the first time in 70 years during his visit with the monarch last week.
Trump made the comment while recounting his time abroad to reporters on Tuesday.
“We met with the Queen, who is absolutely a terrific person, where she reviewed her honor guard for the first time in 70 years, they tell me,” Trump said. “We walked in front of the honor guard and that was very inspiring to see and be with her. And I think the relationship, I can truly say, is a good one. But she was very, very inspiring indeed.”
Contrary to Trump’s statement, however, the queen has reviewed her honor guard many times over the last 70 years. The tradition often takes place during visits from foreign officials, including during former President Obama’s visit in 2011.{mosads}
The queen has met with 10 U.S. presidents since she inherited the throne.
The president and first lady Melania Trump met the queen last Friday. They shook hands and exchanged smiles before listening to “The Star-Spangled Banner” and reviewing troops. The president, first lady and the queen then entered the royal residence for tea.
Ahead of his meeting with the queen, Trump shared high praise for the monarch.
“I really look forward to meeting her,” Trump told the right-leaning British tabloid, The Sun. “I think she represents her country so well.”