President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump embarked on a two-day state visit to Britain, receiving a lavish welcome from the British royal family at Windsor Castle. This rare second invitation for an American president underscored Britain’s concerted effort to engage a leader perceived as keen on reshaping the post-World War II global order, and to potentially steer him on critical bilateral issues. The visit was steeped in the kind of grandeur and ceremonial displays that delighted the President.
The extensive preparations for such a state visit are a spectacle in themselves, as highlighted by a documentary video from Buckingham Palace. Dozens of soldiers on horseback rehearsed processions for weeks, twenty chefs prepared 500 meals daily (including 160 for the state banquet), and palace gardeners meticulously maintained the grounds. The royal librarian carefully selected historical items related to the United States for the Trumps to view, emphasizing shared history. Despite the immense effort, successive state visits—this being the second in just two months, following President Emmanuel Macron’s—reportedly left household staff quite exhausted.
The Royal Agenda Unfolds
Upon their arrival by helicopter from London, the Trumps were formally greeted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla. President Trump and the King participated in a horse-drawn carriage procession through the magnificent Windsor estate, followed by Queen Camilla and Mrs. Trump in a separate carriage. For President Trump, a keen admirer of military pomp, the ceremonial royal salute by a unique assembly of Grenadier, Coldstream, and Scots Guards was a notable highlight. Later, the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery marched past with their mounted guns, adding to the martial display.
Melania Trump, adorned in a dark gray Dior couture skirt suit and a signature hat, along with a Burberry trench coat upon arrival, seemed to make a diplomatic nod through her fashion choices. The Princess of Wales, Catherine, also appeared in a burgundy ensemble coordinating with Prince William’s tie, a subtle visual of unity as the couples walked side-by-side.
Following lunch, the Trumps were scheduled to view curated items from the Royal Collection, including a 1774 letter from Lord North to King George III detailing the American colonies’ ‘state of rebellion’—a historical anecdote often shared with visiting Americans with a touch of dry British humor. The afternoon also included laying a wreath at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II in St. George’s Chapel and witnessing a spectacular ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony on the castle’s east lawn, featuring Red Arrow acrobatic jets and F-35 fighter planes.
President Trump himself expressed his appreciation for the host venue, noting, “They say Windsor Castle is the ultimate, right?” He also remarked on the “great honor” of being hosted twice, while Buckingham Palace was undergoing long-term renovations. This visit notably unfolded with greater harmony than his 2019 state visit, avoiding public clashes with London’s mayor.
Beyond the Palace: Protests and Politics
Despite the royal hospitality, the visit was not without controversy. British activists initiated protests even before President Trump’s arrival, projecting an image of him with Jeffrey Epstein onto the walls of Windsor Castle and unfurling a massive banner depicting the same. These stunts, organized by groups like ‘Everyone Hates Elon’ and ‘Led By Donkeys,’ resulted in several arrests for malicious communications. Additional demonstrations were planned, with protesters gathering outside the BBC headquarters in central London, carrying banners such as ‘No to Trump’ and ‘Stop arming Israel.’
London’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan, renewed his long-standing public feud with President Trump. In an opinion essay published shortly before Trump’s plane landed, Khan accused him of ‘fanning the flames of divisive, far-right politics around the world.’ This stance starkly contrasted with Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government, which sought a cooperative relationship with the Trump administration.
Security for the visit was paramount, constituting Britain’s largest protective operation since King Charles III’s 2023 coronation. Intensified by the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk in Utah and a past assassination attempt on Trump, authorities deployed drones, snipers, mounted police, and river patrols. All official engagements were confined to private grounds at Windsor and Chequers, meticulously designed to minimize public exposure and potential confrontations with a largely unpopular visiting president.
Economic Diplomacy and UK Upheaval
The state visit also served as a platform for economic diplomacy. Major U.S. tech companies announced over $40 billion in investments in British artificial intelligence, data centers, and other new technologies. Microsoft pledged $30 billion over four years, including a new supercomputer project with Nscale. Google announced a $6.8 billion investment for a new data center, and OpenAI partnered with Nvidia and Nscale on a ‘Stargate UK’ AI data center. These deals, joined by tech executives like Satya Nadella and Sam Altman, aimed to create 5,000 jobs, expand research, and deliver 120,000 advanced Nvidia semiconductors to Britain, bolstering U.S.-U.K. economic ties.
Meanwhile, Britain faced its own domestic upheaval, including a massive anti-immigrant protest led by Tommy Robinson, where former Trump adviser Elon Musk delivered a virtual address with alarmist rhetoric about immigration, which Prime Minister Starmer condemned. Both Trump and Starmer were also expected to face questions regarding the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein saga, a shadow cast over the diplomatic proceedings.
The President and First Lady were set to spend the night at Windsor Castle before President Trump met with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, the Prime Minister’s country estate, on Thursday. The two leaders planned to sign several deals and hold a joint news conference, while Mrs. Trump had engagements with Queen Camilla and Catherine, Princess of Wales.