The White House has introduced a limited edition ‘Patriot passport’ as part of the United States’ upcoming 250th anniversary celebrations. The special passport features a portrait of Donald Trump on the inside cover. The design was created by the US State Department under the Trump administration to mark 250 years of American independence.

The announcement was made on Tuesday (local time), with the White House sharing the first look of the passport. “Patriot passport unlocked. Limited edition. Stamped for America 250,” the White House said while revealing the design. The passport keeps its traditional deep blue cover on the outside. However, the inside includes a portrait of Trump, making it distinct from regular versions.

Soon after, the White House shared a short video offering a closer glimpse of the passport. The video highlighted the design details but was simply captioned with the US flag. The release is part of the broader effort to mark the country’s semi-quincentennial celebrations, which recognise 250 years since independence.

White House spokesperson Olivia Wales explained the purpose behind the new design. She said, “the new patriotic passport design provides yet another great way Americans can join in the spectacular celebrations for America's 250th birthday.” She also added that Trump "continues to proudly lead a renewal of national pride and patriotism during our historic semi-quincentennial celebration."

Further details were shared by State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott in an interview with NBC News. He said, “As the United States celebrates America’s 250th anniversary in July, the State Department is preparing to release a limited number of specially designed US Passports to commemorate this historic occasion." The passports will be available in limited numbers and are meant to serve as a commemorative item for the milestone year.

The unveiling of the passport coincided with the visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the United States. During a state dinner hosted at the White House, the evening included several light-hearted moments and historical references.

During his speech, King Charles made a humorous remark about history and global influence. He said, "You recently commented, Mr. President, that if it were not for the United States, European countries would be speaking German. Dare I say that, if it wasn't for us, you'd be speaking French". His comment referred to Trump’s earlier statement at the Davos Summit in January, where Trump had said that without US support during World War II, "you'd be speaking German and a little Japanese."

King Charles continued with several jokes during his address. He mentioned the ongoing changes at the White House, especially the construction work in the East Wing where a ballroom is being built. He also referred to a historical moment from 1814 when British forces set fire to the White House. Speaking on this, he joked, “I am sorry to say that we British, of course, made our own attempt at real estate redevelopment of the White House in 1814.”

Adding another historical touch, he mentioned the Boston Tea Party and remarked that the state dinner was “a very considerable improvement" compared to that event. His speech blended humour with history, drawing reactions from those present at the gathering.

Trump responded positively to King Charles’s speech and praised his remarks. He said, "he got the Democrats to stand -- I've never been able to do that." The exchange reflected a mix of diplomacy and humour during the formal event.

Apart from the lighter moments, both leaders also discussed serious global issues. Among them was the situation involving Iran. The conflict is currently under a ceasefire. During his address, Trump noted that King Charles did not want Iran to have a nuclear weapon, highlighting shared concerns on the matter.

The unveiling of the ‘Patriot passport’ alongside the high-profile visit added significance to the occasion. It combines national celebration with political messaging and reflects the administration’s focus on promoting patriotism during a historic milestone year for the United States.