WASHINGTON, April 29 -- Donald Trump has never made a secret of his love for royalty. But the US president revealed Tuesday it runs in the family - his mother had a crush on King Charles III.

The surprising revelation was part of a torrent of flattery, pomp and circumstance unleashed by Trump as Charles and Queen Camilla visited the White House.

For the British side it will come as a relief that Trump's gushing praise for the royals effectively papered over major diplomatic tensions over the war in Iran.

But for 79-year-old Trump - accused by critics of wanting to be a king himself - it seemed very personal.

In a speech on the White House lawn, the Republican recalled how his Scottish-born mother Mary loved the late queen Elizabeth II...