President Trump concluded a lavish state visit to Britain with a meeting alongside Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday, where the two leaders prepared to unveil substantial business deals involving American and British companies. This carefully orchestrated trip offered Mr. Trump a brief respite from political pressures back home, largely sidestepping overt political debates and disagreements between the allies on sensitive issues like trade and the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. However, Mr. Starmer was expected to bring these topics to the forefront during their discussions, with both leaders likely facing scrutiny at a joint news conference later that afternoon.
The diplomatic engagements followed a day filled with regal grandeur, culminating in a white-tie dinner at Windsor Castle. There, Mr. Trump extended lavish praise to the British royal family. White House officials, members of Trump’s cabinet, and prominent American business figures dined alongside their British counterparts and the aristocracy in an setting that evidently delighted the president, known for his appreciation of opulence.
Upon his departure from Windsor Castle on Thursday morning for Chequers, the British prime minister’s country residence, Mr. Trump described his host, King Charles III, as a “great gentleman and a great king.”
Meanwhile, First Lady Melania Trump remained at the castle to participate in events with Queen Camilla and Catherine, Princess of Wales.
Key Highlights from the State Visit:
- Investments: In conjunction with Mr. Trump’s visit, major companies including Microsoft, OpenAI, and Blackstone committed over $200 billion in investments in Britain over the next decade. Similarly, British pharmaceutical giant GSK and other U.K. firms pledged investments in the United States. While such announcements are customary during high-profile visits, the British government views these pledges as a crucial success amidst its efforts to stimulate economic growth.
- Nuclear Energy: Despite significant differences in their broader climate and energy policies, Mr. Trump and Mr. Starmer found common ground on nuclear energy. They finalized an agreement to construct more nuclear power plants in Britain. The Starmer administration has committed to fast-tracking new plant reviews, mirroring executive orders issued by Mr. Trump to accelerate nuclear reactor approvals in the U.S.
- Protests: Thursday saw thousands of protesters converge in central London to demonstrate against Mr. Trump’s visit, creating a stark contrast to his ceremonial red-carpet welcome by royalty and political leaders.
- First Lady Engagements: Queen Camilla personally guided Mrs. Trump on a tour of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, a meticulously crafted miniature palace presented as a gift in 1924 to Queen Mary, wife of King George V. Later, Mrs. Trump was scheduled to join Catherine, Princess of Wales, at Frogmore Gardens for an event with Britain’s Scouts Association.
Economic Tensions: Starmer’s Stance on Tariffs
At a business event, Prime Minister Keir Starmer appeared composed as President Trump asserted, “We’re really the ones who can do tariffs. No one else can do them.” Britain has so far been unsuccessful in securing relief from U.S. steel tariffs.
US-UK Forge Ahead with Advanced Technology Partnership
President Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer formally signed a technology partnership agreement. Both leaders stated that this collaboration would enable the United States and Britain to lead the world in artificial intelligence and other advanced high-tech innovations.
Britain’s Media Reacts to Royal Welcome: Diplomacy or Deference?
British media outlets were sharply divided on Thursday in their assessment of the state visit’s opening day. Some hailed it as a masterclass in British diplomacy, utilizing royal grandeur to advance national interests. Others condemned it as a humiliating display of deference to a volatile American president with a fragile ego.
Newspaper front pages featured photographs of a glittering banquet at Windsor Castle and Mr. Trump’s horse-drawn carriage procession through its grounds. The divergence in public and media perception was vividly illustrated by two tabloids.
“The Special Bond,” declared the optimistic headline in The Sun, a conservative-leaning paper known for its sensationalism. It reported on Mr. Trump’s speech at Wednesday evening’s state dinner, which lauded the special relationship between the U.S. and Britain, accompanied by the James Bond theme music played by the band. News Corporation, owned by Rupert Murdoch, a banquet attendee, owns The Sun.
In stark contrast, the left-leaning Daily Mirror proclaimed on its front page: “The royals did their job. They smiled, laughed …. and massaged Trump’s frail ego.” Russell Myers, the paper’s royal editor, further commented on social media: “When Britain’s star has fallen so far and we are forced to grovel for recognition of the special relationship, our dutiful royals serve us well in desperate times.”
The Guardian offered a more literary critique, publishing a poem by Carol Ann Duffy, a prominent poet and former poet laureate. Her work appeared to reimagine the ceremonial banquet taking place in a bomb site, a clear allusion to the contrast between the opulent dinner and the escalating hunger crisis and suffering in Gaza amidst Israel’s military campaign.
The poem read:
“Poached Sandringham venison with truffles to follow,
then Key Lime Pie, and among the wines,
Chateau Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, 1990.
Yum-yum. Let the trumpets sound on the bomb site
as the great and the good pick their way through,
and a famished child peers through a bullet-hole in a wall.”
The conflict in Gaza was a significant concern for many who protested the state visit in London on Thursday, fueled by America’s seemingly unwavering support for Israel.
Other grievances were voiced, including by Max Hastings, a writer and former editor of the right-leaning Daily Telegraph, who was seen among the demonstrators. Interviewed by a BBC journalist, Mr. Hastings accused the unpopular Mr. Trump of destabilizing the world order, declaring, “He’s a destroyer.”
The Guardian also highlighted investments by American companies, estimated at £150 billion for Britain, suggesting Prime Minister Keir Starmer hoped these would appease critics of the state visit. This reflects how much of the media viewed Mr. Trump’s visit in pragmatic terms, with The Independent’s headline reading: “Britain wheels out the Windsors to play its royal Trump card.” The lingering question remains whether the political and diplomatic gains will ultimately justify the visit in the eyes of Mr. Trump’s numerous British detractors once he departs on Air Force One today.
First Lady’s Royal Engagements: From Library Tours to Scout Meetings
Following her visit to the Royal Library, First Lady Melania Trump traveled from Windsor Castle to Frogmore House, a nearby royal retreat situated within the castle’s private grounds. She was welcomed by the Princess of Wales and then proceeded into Frogmore Gardens to meet children from the Squirrels, Britain’s youngest Scout group (ages 4 to 6). The First Lady and Princess Catherine joined the children on the lawn, engaging in activities such as making leaf collages and building insect hotels before presenting them with activity badges and sharing a picnic. The Scouting movement originated in Britain in 1907 with Robert Baden-Powell’s first camp for boys on Brownsea Island, off England’s southern coast. His handbook, ‘Scouting for Boys,’ published the following year, inspired an international movement that reached the United States in 1910.
Melania Trump’s Fashion Choices Spark Trend Speculation During Royal Visit
For her engagement with Queen Camilla, Melania Trump chose an all-leather caramel Louis Vuitton suit paired with snakeskin pumps. Louis Vuitton, along with brands like Dior and Tiffany, is part of LVMH, a luxury conglomerate owned by French mogul Bernard Arnault, who had previously attended President Trump’s inauguration. Mrs. Trump later transitioned into a more casual suede Ralph Lauren safari jacket, worn with Loro Piana trousers. Interestingly, Loro Piana is also an LVMH brand, hinting at a discernible fashion preference.
Melania Trump Tours Royal Library with Queen Camilla
As President Trump initiated the political segment of the state visit, First Lady Melania Trump was concurrently touring the Royal Library at Windsor Castle with Queen Camilla. They engaged with a group of schoolchildren involved in an art project illustrating miniature books, and subsequently viewed a collection of historical books and artworks, including drawings by Leonardo da Vinci. The First Lady was notably shown a poem and drawing created by Queen Elizabeth I during her childhood in the early 16th century, as well as an annotated copy of Shakespeare’s works belonging to King Charles I before his execution in 1649.
Trump’s Free Speech Hypocrisy: Condemning UK while Hailing US Censorship
When British police apprehended an Irish comedian three weeks prior for online posts deemed capable of inciting violence against transgender individuals, President Trump publicly labeled the incident “sad” and “not a good thing” for free speech in the United Kingdom. “I will just say that in terms of U.K., strange things are happening over there,” the president remarked after the arrest of Graham Linehan, a writer and anti-transgender activist. “They are cracking down and surprisingly so, and I’ve spoken to the prime minister and let’s see what happens.”
However, as Mr. Trump convened with Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday, his own administration had orchestrated the removal of a prominent American comedian for comments made about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. On Wednesday, the ABC network indefinitely suspended Jimmy Kimmel, host of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, following his monologue remarks on Monday night concerning the aftermath of Mr. Kirk’s death. Kimmel stated, “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them, and doing everything they can to score political points from it.”
Rather than condemning the parallel suppression of political speech within his own nation, Mr. Trump applauded it. “Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED,” he posted on his Truth Social media platform.
ABC’s decision to suspend Mr. Kimmel stemmed from threats issued by a top Trump administration official. Brendan Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, had indicated on Wednesday that his agency might take action against ABC due to Kimmel’s comments. These developments unfolded amidst a vigorous national campaign by Mr. Trump’s allies against anyone expressing critical views of Mr. Kirk after his death, leading to numerous firings and suspensions over online comments.
The actions against Mr. Kimmel highlight a stark contrast in the Trump administration’s approach to free speech between the United States and Europe. In Britain, Mr. Trump and Vice President JD Vance have frequently criticized the government for its heavy-handed treatment of individuals expressing right-wing views, particularly concerning migrants. Mr. Vance notably stated that in the United Kingdom, “free speech, I fear, is in retreat.” Yet, in the United States, Mr. Trump and Mr. Vance have actively pursued what the president terms the “radical left” for remarks they disagree with, pledging to use governmental power against them. Following Mr. Kirk’s death, the president declared that the “radical left has done tremendous damage to the country,” adding, “But we’re fixing it.”
Diplomatic Discussions Commence at Chequers
Safely situated within the secluded grounds of Chequers, the president was formally greeted by Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife, Victoria. With pleasantries exchanged, the substantive diplomatic negotiations were poised to commence.
Britain Poised to Recognize Palestinian Statehood After Trump’s Departure
Within days, or even hours, of President Trump’s departure from Britain this afternoon, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is anticipated to confirm that the British government will vote to recognize a Palestinian state next week at the United Nations General Assembly’s annual meeting in New York.
This impending announcement is not entirely unexpected. When Mr. Starmer initially revealed the decision on recognition in July, he made it conditional on certain terms, primarily Israel’s agreement to a cease-fire with Hamas. None of these conditions appear any closer to being met.
However, this move places Britain at odds with the United States. Mr. Trump has voiced opposition to recognizing a Palestinian state, though he has not publicly pressed the issue with Mr. Starmer, with whom he has cultivated a surprisingly cordial relationship despite their political differences. During a July visit to Scotland, when asked about Mr. Starmer’s stance on Palestinian statehood, Mr. Trump stated, “I’m not going to take a position; I don’t mind him taking a position. I’m looking to getting people fed right now. That’s the No. 1 position, because you have a lot of starving people.”
Vice President JD Vance was more direct in acknowledging the divergence during his family vacation to Britain in August. “We have no plans to recognize a Palestinian state,” he declared before a meeting with David Lammy, then Britain’s foreign secretary. “I don’t know what it would really mean to recognize a Palestinian state, given the lack of a functional government there.”
For Mr. Starmer, the push to recognize a Palestinian state is partly driven by domestic political pressures. Support for this step within his Labour Party and among the wider British public has grown significantly as Israel’s combat operations in Gaza have intensified and the humanitarian crisis in the territory escalated. Britain, following France, Canada, and Malta, announced its intention to recognize a Palestinian state. The distressing images of suffering in Gaza clearly moved Mr. Starmer, a former human-rights lawyer, beyond a personal breaking point. “The situation is simply intolerable,” he stated in July. “I am particularly concerned that the very idea of a two-state solution is reducing and feels further away today than it has for many years.”
ABC News Accreditation Withdrawn for UK-US Press Conference
Downing Street informed the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that its accreditation for President Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s joint news conference on Thursday had been revoked due to “logistical reasons.” This decision followed an incident where ABC journalist John Lyons questioned Trump about his business dealings before his departure for Britain, to which the president retorted that Lyons was “hurting Australia.” An ABC spokesperson later confirmed that the broadcaster received “no indication” linking Downing Street’s decision to Lyons’s questions posed to Trump. The British government, in a separate statement, cited “inevitable high demand” as the reason for limited media accreditation at the Chequers press conference.
Trump Skips London Crowds, Heads to Rural Chequers for Political Talks
President Trump’s next destination is Chequers, the British prime minister’s country residence, located outside London. With the exception of his first night at Winfield House, the American ambassador’s residence, Mr. Trump has largely avoided the capital, and its anti-Trump demonstrators.
Royal Pageantry Concludes as Trump Shifts to Political Agenda
The royal segment of President Trump’s state visit has now concluded. The president will shift focus to politics and policy as he heads to Chequers for meetings with Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain. First Lady Melania Trump is scheduled to remain at Windsor Castle, where Queen Camilla will lead her on a tour of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House this morning.
Trump Departs Windsor, Praises King Charles III
President Trump said his goodbyes to King Charles at Windsor Castle after spending the night. With a handshake, the president remarked, “A great gentleman and a great king.” Mr. Trump is now en route to Chequers for discussions with Britain’s prime minister, which will be followed by a news conference.
A Century of Miniature Majesty: Melania Trump and Queen Camilla Explore Royal Dolls’ House
An exquisite silver crown, adorned with diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and seed pearls, stands barely an inch tall. Its tiny red velvet cap, fit for a monarch, is just one of the countless miniature wonders within Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, currently on display at Windsor Castle outside London. This remarkable model meticulously reproduces the everyday objects, luxuries, and curiosities of early 20th-century royal life at a one-twelfth scale.
On Thursday, the second day of the Trumps’ state visit to Britain, Queen Camilla was set to personally guide First Lady Melania Trump through this miniature marvel. The Dolls’ House, gifted to Queen Mary (wife of King George V) in 1924, was never intended as a child’s plaything. Instead, it served as a sophisticated showcase of the finest British craftsmanship, presented to a royal known for her fondness for miniatures. A January 1924 report in The Times of London captured Queen Mary’s profound appreciation for its intricate details, which even included working plumbing and electric lifts. To mark its centenary, select items typically housed inside, such as the famous miniature crown, are now being displayed externally, allowing visitors a closer look. Kathryn Jones, a senior curator at the Royal Collection Trust, noted its “instant charm,” adding, “But also as you dig into it, I think you find it’s quite layered.”
US and Britain: United on Nuclear Energy, Divided on Climate
Despite the ceremonial grandeur of President Trump’s state visit, the United States and Britain remain starkly divergent on climate and energy policies. President Trump previously announced the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, and advocates for a revival of coal, even ordering older coal-burning power plants to remain operational.
Conversely, Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain has set one of the most ambitious climate targets among industrial economies, pledging to cut the country’s climate pollution by 81% by 2035, relative to 1990 levels. Britain notably closed its last coal plant last year, a symbolic milestone for the birthplace of the industrial revolution. Many former coal plant sites are now being repurposed into battery farms to store solar and wind energy.
Their approaches to renewable energy, popular in both nations, are also in sharp contrast. President Trump has actively curtailed government support for clean energy projects domestically and, earlier this year, advised Britain to “get rid of the windmills and bring back the oil.” Mr. Starmer, however, champions an accelerated transition away from fossil fuels, aiming for Britain’s electricity to be primarily generated from renewable sources by 2030. In 2024, Britain achieved a significant milestone, generating just over half (50.8%) of its energy from renewables, predominantly wind power.
However, the two leaders find common ground on one crucial aspect: nuclear energy. Mr. Starmer and Mr. Trump have forged a deal to expand nuclear power plant construction in Britain. Nuclear energy, which produces no greenhouse gas emissions despite concerns about safety and waste disposal, aligns with Britain’s climate objectives. Mr. Starmer’s administration has committed to fast-tracking new plant reviews, a strategy seemingly inspired by Mr. Trump’s executive orders to expedite nuclear reactor approvals in the United States. Mr. Starmer has even adopted rhetoric from the Trump playbook, proclaiming the deal heralds a “golden age” of nuclear, echoing the Trump administration’s championing of a “nuclear renaissance.”
U.S. Investments Offer Economic Relief Amidst Britain’s Challenges
Amidst the pomp and circumstance of President Trump’s state visit, the British government actively showcased promises of billions of dollars in investments from American companies to its populace. Announcements made during Mr. Trump’s visit revealed pledges totaling £150 billion, or $204 billion, from Microsoft, OpenAI, Blackstone, and other U.S. firms for investments in Britain over the next decade. Reciprocally, British companies, including the pharmaceutical giant GSK, indicated plans to invest in the United States, with the British government committing to increased procurement from American businesses. These pledges, according to the British government, are expected to create thousands of jobs.
“These investments are a testament to Britain’s economic strength,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared in a statement. While such commitments are customary during high-profile diplomatic visits and often originate from companies already established in Britain that might have invested regardless, the British government will undoubtedly leverage them as proof of its capacity to boost economic growth—a top national priority. Recent data indicated Britain’s annual inflation rate in August stood at 3.8 percent, nearly double the central bank’s target. The Bank of England was scheduled to maintain high interest rates on Thursday, a measure that continues to strain many consumers. With the next budget announcement expected in approximately two months, speculation about potential tax increases is already circulating.
Compounding these challenges, the British government has yet to secure further concessions from the Trump administration to reduce tariffs on British goods. Efforts to achieve zero tariffs on steel have stalled, and attempts to lower levies on Scotch whisky have also failed to produce tangible results. Against a backdrop of persistent inflation, anticipated tax hikes, and ongoing trade uncertainties, Mr. Starmer’s government hopes that these announced American investments will, to some extent, mitigate the economic difficulties facing the nation.