President Trump will land in Britain next week for his second state visit — a historical rarity and, for him, a vindication. After his 2019 visit, world headlines dripped with claims that the Royals were cool toward him and that the late Queen Elizabeth found him “rude.”
Trump, for his part, always insisted their relationship was “great” — and even delighted in showing off photographs from the trip aboard his plane. Unlike Michelle Obama’s famous faux pas, Trump and Melania made no misstep in the Queen’s presence.
When Queen Elizabeth passed in 2022, Trump issued a statement of admiration: “What a grand and beautiful lady she was — there was nobody like her.”
Now, Trump has become the only U.S. president to secure a second full state visit. Protocol dictates that second-term presidents are invited for tea or lunch at most. Obama and George W. Bush both settled for that. Trump, however, is being hosted once again — Windsor Castle, carriage procession, state banquet, the full pageant.
The symbolism matters. King Charles is extending him not just courtesy but esteem. And while President Biden failed to strike common ground with Britain’s Conservatives, Trump has managed to establish a working rapport with Sir Keir Starmer — the Labour prime minister. That, in itself, is no small diplomatic achievement.
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- Tuesday, Sept 16: The Trumps arrive in the evening at Windsor Castle.
- Wednesday, Sept 17: William and Kate greet them on the estate before leading them to King Charles and Queen Camilla for the formal welcome, Royal Salute, and carriage procession. Lunch will follow in the State Dining Room. In the afternoon, Trump and Melania will lay a wreath at Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb in St George’s Chapel. A state banquet caps the evening.
- Thursday, Sept 18: Trump travels to Chequers. With Starmer, he will review Churchill archives, hold a bilateral meeting, address a business reception, and appear at a joint press conference.
Buckingham Palace, in its release, confirmed: “Their Majesties The King and Queen will formally welcome The President and First Lady outside, as a Royal Salute is fired from the East Lawn of Windsor Castle and at the Tower of London.”