President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were welcomed by the British royal family at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, marking the start of a two-day state visit. This rare second invitation for an American president highlights Britain’s strategic effort to maintain a strong relationship with a leader known for upending traditional post-World War II international alliances.
While the president recently expressed grievances on social media regarding federal investigations, he has remained notably silent on British domestic politics, a stark contrast to his outspoken commentary during his first visit in 2019. The entire visit is steeped in pomp and grandeur, a spectacle Mr. Trump has eagerly anticipated.
The day’s itinerary began with the Trumps arriving by helicopter from London to Windsor, where King Charles III personally greeted them. The King and President Trump then participated in a horse-drawn carriage procession through the historic Windsor estate, with Queen Camilla and Mrs. Trump following in a separate carriage. Later that evening, a traditional state dinner will be held at the 900-year-old castle, attended by numerous Trump officials, friends, and allies.
Before the evening’s banquet, the presidential couple is expected to lay a wreath at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II in St. George’s Chapel. They will spend the night at Windsor Castle before President Trump proceeds to meet with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, the prime minister’s country residence, on Thursday. President Trump had previously remarked on the significance of being honored twice, calling it a “great honor” and praising Windsor Castle as “the ultimate” venue, noting that Buckingham Palace, the site of his first state visit, is currently undergoing renovations.
Throughout the day, observers noted a notably more harmonious atmosphere compared to his previous state visit. President Trump and King Charles III shared a jovial moment while inspecting displays from the Royal Collection, with Trump exclaiming “Wow” at an item related to American independence. During an inspection of the honor guard, Trump’s interactions with King Charles were marked by laughter, suggesting a relaxed rapport. The President appeared entertained as he inspected the beefeaters, smiling and nodding. The welcome ceremony proceeded smoothly, a relief for the British hosts, with bagpipers escorting the King and President into the castle. The honor guard itself was a unique display, featuring three different regiments – the Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, and Scots Guards – an assembly never before seen for a state visit.
Melania Trump’s fashion choices also subtly acknowledged diplomatic ties; she wore a Dior suit, a brand now helmed by Northern Irish designer Jonathan Anderson, and a British Burberry trench coat upon arrival. Meanwhile, Queen Camilla opted for low pumps, a practical contrast to Mrs. Trump’s Manolo Blahnik stilettos on the pebbled palace driveway. Catherine, Princess of Wales, also presented a picture of unity, with her burgundy outfit seemingly coordinating with President Trump’s tie. The afternoon schedule includes viewing curated items from the royal collection, and a spectacular “Beating Retreat” ceremony on the castle’s east lawn, featuring Red Arrow acrobatic jets and F-35 fighter planes – a martial display known to impress the President.
This visit required extensive preparation from the royal household. Typically, the British royal family hosts only two state visits annually. A video showcasing the preparations revealed dozens of soldiers rehearsing processions for weeks, gardeners meticulously tending to the grounds, and chefs preparing hundreds of meals, including a lavish 160-plate state banquet. The royal librarian carefully curated historical items relating to the United States for the Trumps to view, ensuring a personalized touch that acknowledges shared history. These preparations are exhaustive, leading one royal staff member to describe polishing “to an inch of its life,” hinting at the significant effort involved.
Security for the visit has been massive, constituting the largest protective operation since King Charles III’s coronation in 2023. Drones, snipers, mounted police, and river boat teams have been deployed across Britain. The recent assassination of Charlie Kirk in Utah and an attempted assassination of Mr. Trump last year heightened threat considerations. To minimize risks, all events, including the carriage procession, are confined to private grounds, with no public-facing elements in central London.
However, the visit has not been without its controversies. London Mayor Sadiq Khan reignited his long-standing feud with President Trump, publishing an opinion essay accusing him of “fanning the flames of divisive, far-right politics.” Their past clashes include Khan labeling Trump’s views on Islam as “ignorant” and authorizing a “baby Trump” balloon protest during a previous visit. Protesters also gathered outside the BBC headquarters, carrying banners against Trump and calling to “Stop arming Israel.” Additionally, a large far-right demonstration led by Tommy Robinson, amplified by Elon Musk, occurred over the weekend, drawing condemnation from Prime Minister Starmer.
Echoing criticisms from home, British activists projected images of President Trump alongside deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein onto the walls of Windsor Castle and unfurled a large banner featuring the same image, drawing attention to his past associations. This comes after Prime Minister Starmer recently dismissed his ambassador to Washington over ties to Epstein, ensuring that the Epstein saga remains a prominent topic during discussions.
Despite the political undercurrents, the visit also features significant economic components. Major American tech companies like Microsoft, Google, OpenAI, and Nvidia are expected to announce over $40 billion in new investments in Britain, focusing on AI, data centers, and other advanced technologies. This reinforces the strong economic and technological partnership between the two nations, following a recent trade deal.
Thursday’s agenda will see President Trump meet Prime Minister Starmer at Chequers, where they are expected to visit the Winston Churchill archives, attend a business reception, and hold a joint news conference. Meanwhile, Mrs. Trump will tour Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House with Queen Camilla and join Catherine, Princess of Wales, for an event with Britain’s Scouts Association at Frogmore Gardens, rounding out a packed diplomatic schedule.