President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were formally welcomed to Windsor Castle, outside London, for a two-day state visit, steeped in the kind of grandeur that evidently appeals to the president. The visit kicked off with a wreath-laying ceremony at Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb, followed by military bands in full dress uniform and a spectacular flyover by the Red Arrows, the Royal Air Force’s acrobatic team, painting the sky with red, white, and blue contrails. President Trump seemed particularly delighted by the aerial display, despite the chilly, windy weather.
This second state visit marks a deliberate effort by the British government to engage with a president who appears increasingly inclined to challenge the established post-World War II international order. Such a repeat invitation is a rare diplomatic honor, one not extended to any other American president.
However, the lavish royal reception stood in stark contrast to the widespread public dissent in London. Thousands of demonstrators gathered across the city, particularly near Parliament and the BBC headquarters, to protest the visit. Chants of “Donald Trump’s not welcome here” echoed through the streets, with placards declaring “Dump Trump,” “Trump for Prison,” and “No to racism, No to Trump.” Speakers like Green Party leader Zack Polanski urged protesters to reject the ‘politics of hate and division.’
Mr. Trump, known for his frequent social media activity, had launched an early-morning online tirade regarding federal investigations at home but remained notably silent on British domestic politics, a departure from his 2019 visit. The Trumps traveled by helicopter from London to Windsor, where they were greeted by King Charles III. The President and the King shared a horse-drawn carriage through the Windsor estate, with Queen Camilla and Mrs. Trump following in another. A state dinner at the ancient castle was scheduled for Wednesday night, attended by a host of Trump officials and allies. The Trumps were expected to spend the night at Windsor Castle before the President’s meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday.
The afternoon included a private viewing of items from the Royal Collection related to the U.S.-U.K. relationship. President Trump reportedly exclaimed ‘Wow’ at an American independence artifact. He was later observed engaging in extended one-on-one conversation with King Charles III, who is known for his deep concerns about issues like aid to Ukraine and climate change. Gifts were exchanged, with the royals presenting Trump a leather-bound volume commemorating the Declaration of Independence and a Union Jack that flew over Buckingham Palace on his second inauguration day. Melania Trump received a silver and enamel bowl and a designer handbag. In return, Trump gave the King a replica Eisenhower sword and Queen Camilla a Tiffany diamond and ruby brooch.
Additional details of the visit:
- Two-Day Agenda: Following Wednesday’s royal events, President Trump was scheduled to meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, the prime minister’s country estate, on Thursday. Discussions were expected to include the signing of several deals and a joint news conference.
- U.K. Political Undercurrents: The visit coincided with significant domestic events, including a massive far-right, anti-immigrant protest led by Tommy Robinson in London the previous weekend. Elon Musk, a former Trump adviser, addressed this rally virtually, using alarmist rhetoric about immigration, which Prime Minister Starmer condemned.
- Jeffrey Epstein Controversy: The shadow of deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein loomed over the trip. British activists protested Trump’s arrival by projecting images of him with Epstein onto Windsor Castle and unfurling a large banner on the castle lawn. This follows a recent controversy where Prime Minister Starmer fired his ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson, over his own ties to Epstein. Both Trump and Starmer were anticipated to face questions regarding the ongoing Epstein saga.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, a Labour politician and the city’s first Muslim mayor, publicly criticized President Trump for ‘fanning the flames of divisive, far-right politics.’ This continued a long-standing feud between the two, dating back to 2015 when Khan condemned Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban. Their past exchanges included Trump calling Khan a ‘nasty person’ and ‘stone-cold loser,’ and Khan’s office permitting a ‘Trump Baby’ balloon during a previous visit. Khan’s recent essay defended London’s inclusive nature while lambasting Trump’s deportation policies as ‘straight out of the autocrat’s playbook.’ These remarks contrasted sharply with the British government’s more conciliatory tone, aimed at fostering cooperation with the Trump administration on international and trade matters.
Preparations for the state visit involved the largest protective security operation since King Charles III’s 2023 coronation, deploying drones, snipers, mounted police, and River Thames boat teams. Security experts noted that recent events, including a fatal shooting in Utah and an attempted assassination of Mr. Trump, intensified threat considerations. Authorities confirmed Mr. Trump would be kept away from public spaces, with events confined to private grounds at Windsor and Chequers, limiting opportunities for direct confrontation with the public.
Economically, President Trump’s visit also served as a platform for American tech giants to announce over $40 billion in new investments in Britain. Microsoft pledged $30 billion for A.I. and a new supercomputer, while Google is opening a new data center with a $6.8 billion investment. OpenAI and Nvidia are also partnering on the ‘Stargate UK’ A.I. data center. These deals reinforce U.S.-U.K. economic and technological ties, creating 5,000 jobs and expanding research in critical areas like A.I. and nuclear energy, bringing a significant supply of advanced semiconductors to Europe.