President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were formally welcomed by the British royal family at Windsor Castle on Wednesday. This two-day state visit is marked by the kind of grand pomp and circumstance that genuinely excites the president.
This visit is a strategic move by the British government to connect with a president who appears increasingly inclined to challenge the established post-World War II global order. Receiving a second state visit invitation to Britain, following his initial visit in 2019, is a rare diplomatic honor that no other American president has experienced.
The Trumps arrived at Windsor by helicopter from London, where they were greeted by King Charles III. President Trump and the King shared a horse-drawn carriage ride through the historic Windsor estate, with Queen Camilla and Mrs. Trump following in a separate carriage. A state dinner at the ancient 900-year-old castle is scheduled for Wednesday evening, with numerous Trump officials, friends, and allies having traveled to England to attend.
Prior to the banquet, the President and First Lady are expected to visit St. George’s Chapel to lay a wreath at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II. The Trumps are also slated to spend the night at Windsor Castle before the president’s meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday.
Speaking from the White House south lawn on Tuesday morning before his departure, President Trump remarked, “My relationship is very good with the U.K., and Charles, as you know, who’s now king, is my friend.” He added, “And it’s the first time this has ever happened where somebody was honored twice, so it’s a great honor.” He seemed particularly pleased with the chosen venue, asking, “They say Windsor Castle is the ultimate, right?” (Buckingham Palace, the site of his first state visit, is currently undergoing renovations.)
Here’s a snapshot of what else is unfolding:
- Two-Day Agenda: Following Wednesday’s royal events, the President will head to Chequers, the Prime Minister’s country estate, on Thursday to meet with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Discussions are expected to lead to several deals, culminating in a joint news conference.
- U.K. Political Climate: The visit coincides with a period of domestic upheaval in Britain. Over the weekend, far-right activist Tommy Robinson spearheaded a protest in London, drawing over 100,000 participants in one of the largest demonstrations of its kind in British history. Elon Musk, a former adviser to Mr. Trump who frequently amplifies Robinson’s views on social media, addressed the protesters virtually, advocating for a change in government and using inflammatory language about immigration. Prime Minister Starmer has publicly condemned Musk’s comments.
- Lingering Epstein Controversy: Despite hopes to distance himself from domestic political controversies, the shadow of deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein continues to follow Mr. Trump. British activists highlighted this by projecting an image of the President with Epstein onto the walls of Windsor Castle and unfurling a large banner on the castle grounds. This comes after Mr. Starmer recently dismissed his ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson, due to his connections with Epstein. Both leaders are anticipated to face questions regarding this ongoing saga during the visit.