President Trump’s visit to Britain culminated in a key meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday, a day marked by both lavish royal welcome and high-stakes diplomatic discussions. The two leaders are expected to announce substantial business deals involving American and British companies, highlighting economic collaboration.
This meticulously orchestrated trip offered Mr. Trump a temporary respite from domestic political pressures, largely steering clear of overt political controversies and disagreements on issues like trade and the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. However, Mr. Starmer is anticipated to bring these sensitive topics to the forefront during their meeting, with both leaders likely to face questions on them at an afternoon news conference.
The preceding day was filled with regal pomp, culminating in a white-tie dinner at Windsor Castle. Mr. Trump, known for his appreciation of opulence, openly praised the British royal family as White House officials, cabinet secretaries, and American business moguls dined alongside their British counterparts and members of the aristocracy.
Departing Windsor Castle for Chequers, the Prime Minister’s country residence, Mr. Trump lauded his host, King Charles III, as a ‘great gentleman and a great king.’
Meanwhile, First Lady Melania Trump continued her engagements at Windsor Castle, participating in events with Queen Camilla and Catherine, Princess of Wales.
Key Developments from the Visit:
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Investments: In conjunction with Mr. Trump’s visit, major companies including Microsoft, OpenAI, and Blackstone have committed over $200 billion in investments in Britain spanning the next decade. Similarly, British firms like pharmaceutical giant GSK have pledged investments in the United States. While such announcements are typical during high-profile state visits, the British government views these pledges as a crucial economic win amidst efforts to boost growth.
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Nuclear Energy: Despite their stark differences on most climate and energy policies, Mr. Trump and Mr. Starmer found common ground on nuclear energy. They have reportedly struck a deal to construct more nuclear power plants in Britain. The Starmer administration plans to fast-track reviews for new plants, mirroring Mr. Trump’s executive orders designed to expedite nuclear reactor approvals in the U.S. Both leaders envision a ‘golden age’ or ‘nuclear renaissance’ for the energy sector.
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Protests: Central London witnessed thousands of protesters on Wednesday, demonstrating against Mr. Trump’s visit. This public display stood in stark contrast to the red-carpet reception he received from royalty and political figures during his carefully managed trip.
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First Lady’s Engagements: Queen Camilla personally guided Mrs. Trump on a tour of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House at Windsor Castle. This miniature palace, a gift to Queen Mary in 1924, showcases exquisite British craftsmanship. Later, Mrs. Trump is scheduled to join Catherine, Princess of Wales, for an event with Britain’s Scouts Association at Frogmore Gardens.
Fashion Notes from the First Lady’s Tour:
For her tour with Queen Camilla, Melania Trump opted for a caramel all-leather Louis Vuitton suit paired with snakeskin pumps. Louis Vuitton is part of the LVMH luxury conglomerate, owned by French mogul Bernard Arnault. Later, Mrs. Trump transitioned to a more casual ensemble for her garden tour, choosing a suede Ralph Lauren safari jacket with Loro Piana trousers—another brand under the LVMH umbrella, noting a clear fashion trend.
First Lady’s Royal Library Tour:
While President Trump delved into the political aspects of the state visit, Melania Trump explored the Royal Library at Windsor Castle with Queen Camilla. They engaged with schoolchildren involved in a miniature book art project and viewed historical artifacts, including Leonardo da Vinci’s drawings and King Charles I’s annotated copy of Shakespeare’s works.
Trump’s Shifting Stance on Free Speech:
President Trump’s consistency on free speech has come under scrutiny during his visit. Three weeks prior, he criticized the U.K. for arresting an Irish comedian over online posts deemed to incite violence against transgender people, calling it ‘sad’ and ‘not a good thing.’ However, as he met with Prime Minister Starmer, his own administration forced the suspension of American comedian Jimmy Kimmel from ABC network. Kimmel’s comments following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk led to threats from the Federal Communications Commission. Trump, in turn, celebrated the suspension on Truth Social, stating, ‘Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED.’ This incident highlights a double standard in how Trump and his allies approach free speech in the U.S. versus their criticisms of European governments.
Diplomatic Discussions Commence at Chequers:
Upon arriving at Chequers, the Prime Minister’s country residence, President Trump was greeted by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife, Victoria, signaling the official start of their diplomatic negotiations.
Britain’s Move Towards Palestinian Statehood:
Following President Trump’s departure, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to confirm that the British government will vote to recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly. This move, while not unexpected given Starmer’s previous statements, places Britain at odds with the United States, as Mr. Trump has voiced opposition to recognizing a Palestinian state.
Presidential Arrival at Chequers:
President Trump, accompanied by top aides including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, arrived via Marine One at Chequers, the British prime minister’s country residence.
Media Accreditation Controversy:
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that Downing Street withdrew their accreditation for the joint news conference between President Trump and Prime Minister Starmer, citing ‘logistical reasons.’ This follows an incident where an ABC journalist questioned Trump about his business dealings, leading the president to claim the journalist was ‘hurting Australia.’ A British government statement confirmed limited media access due to ‘inevitable high demand,’ but an ABC spokesperson noted no explicit link was made to their journalist’s questions.
Royal Farewell, Political Start:
President Trump’s royal engagements concluded with his departure from Windsor Castle, where he bid farewell to King Charles, calling him ‘a great gentleman and a great king.’ He then proceeded to Chequers for political meetings with Prime Minister Starmer, deliberately avoiding London and its anti-Trump protests.
Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House Tour:
As President Trump transitioned to political discussions, First Lady Melania Trump remained at Windsor Castle for a personal tour of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, led by Queen Camilla. This remarkable miniature palace, gifted in 1924, is celebrated for its intricate British craftsmanship, featuring a diamond-studded silver crown and even running water at one-twelfth scale.
Economic Boost from US Investments:
During President Trump’s state visit, the British government showcased pledges totaling over $200 billion in investments from American companies like Microsoft, OpenAI, and Blackstone. These commitments, along with reciprocal investments from British firms, are hoped to stimulate economic growth and create jobs. Despite these optimistic announcements, Britain faces ongoing economic challenges, including a high inflation rate and stalled efforts to reduce tariffs on British products, underscoring the government’s reliance on these investments to alleviate economic strain.