President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump embarked on a two-day state visit to Britain, beginning with elaborate royal ceremonies at Windsor Castle. The visit, marked by traditional pomp and grandeur, saw the couple engaging with the British royal family. Highlights included a carriage ride through the Windsor estate and a state dinner hosted by King Charles III at the historic 900-year-old castle. The Trumps also honored Queen Elizabeth II by laying a wreath at St. George’s Chapel. They are scheduled to spend the night at Windsor Castle before President Trump’s meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday.
This second state visit, a rare diplomatic gesture for any American president, underscores Britain’s strategic effort to maintain engagement with a president whose policies have often challenged the established post-World War II international order. Addressing the press before his departure, Mr. Trump remarked, “My relationship is very good with the U.K., and Charles, as you know, who’s now king, is my friend. 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 Windsor Castle as the venue, noting, “They say Windsor Castle is the ultimate, right?” (Buckingham Palace, the venue for his first visit, is currently undergoing renovations.)
Key Developments During the Visit:
- Two-Day Agenda: Following the royal events on Wednesday, President Trump will travel to Chequers, the Prime Minister’s country estate, for discussions with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The leaders are expected to finalize several agreements and hold a joint press conference.
- UK Political Landscape: The visit coincides with significant domestic events in Britain. Last weekend, far-right activist Tommy Robinson led one of the largest anti-immigrant protests in British history, drawing over 100,000 people in London. Elon Musk, a former Trump adviser who has amplified Robinson, virtually addressed the demonstrators, using alarming rhetoric about immigration and predicting “violence is coming to you,” comments that Prime Minister Starmer has since condemned.
- Jeffrey Epstein Allegations: Despite efforts to focus on diplomatic matters, the controversy surrounding deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein continues to shadow Mr. Trump. British activists staged protests upon his arrival, projecting images of the president with Epstein onto Windsor Castle walls and displaying a large banner on the castle lawn. This comes after Prime Minister Starmer recently dismissed his Washington ambassador, Peter Mandelson, due to his own connections to Epstein. Both leaders anticipated questions regarding the ongoing saga.
British authorities have implemented the most extensive protective security operation since King Charles III’s 2023 coronation, deploying drones, snipers, mounted police, and River Thames boat teams. This heightened security reflects increased concerns following the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk in Utah and an attempted assassination on Mr. Trump last year.
Mr. Trump’s itinerary includes royal events at Windsor Castle on Wednesday and meetings with Prime Minister Starmer at Chequers on Thursday. To minimize public disruption and protest opportunities, British police confirmed that all official engagements would occur within the private grounds of Windsor and Chequers, with “no public-facing element.”
Former Metropolitan Police royalty protection officer Simon Morgan stated that Kirk’s assassination would lead officials to “double down” on efforts to secure all potential vantage points for a shot. “They will be seeking to control every aspect of the space, both in terms of on the ground and in the air,” he added. To reinforce local forces, armed police from across England and Wales (where only 4% of officers carry firearms) have been dispatched to London and Windsor.
At a state banquet planned for Wednesday night at Windsor Castle, Ed Davey, leader of the centrist Liberal Democrats, has announced he will boycott the event. His decision is a protest against President Trump’s policies and the perceived failure of the president to use his influence on Israel to end the conflict in Gaza.
Beyond diplomacy, President Trump’s visit is also a platform for major economic announcements. Several leading U.S. tech companies are expected to pledge over $40 billion in new investments for artificial intelligence, data centers, and other cutting-edge technologies in Britain.
Microsoft committed approximately $30 billion over four years, including a new supercomputer project with British firm Nscale. Google plans to invest around $6.8 billion over two years for a new data center. Additionally, OpenAI and Nvidia are collaborating on “Stargate UK,” a new AI data center with Nscale.
This visit mirrors Mr. Trump’s May trip to the Persian Gulf, where he similarly combined diplomatic engagements with royal families and the facilitation of major business deals for American tech companies. Key tech executives, including Microsoft’s Satya Nadella and OpenAI’s Sam Altman, are expected to accompany Mr. Trump.
These agreements further solidify economic and technological ties between the U.S. and Britain, building on a trade deal struck three months prior. Prime Minister Keir Starmer highlighted that the agreement “marks a generational step change in our relationship with the U.S.” While European nations express growing concerns about dependence on U.S. tech for vital services, British officials have sought assurances regarding data protection and storage within Europe.
The British government anticipates these announcements will generate 5,000 new jobs and boost research in fields like AI, quantum computing, drug discovery, and nuclear energy. Crucially, the deals will secure roughly 120,000 of Nvidia’s advanced semiconductors for Britain, representing Europe’s largest supply to date.
British activists, protesting President Trump’s state visit, marked his arrival by projecting images of him with Jeffrey Epstein onto the walls of Windsor Castle and unfurling a massive banner depicting the same on the castle’s lawn.
The presidential couple arrived in London on Tuesday night, with Wednesday designated for engagements at Windsor Castle hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Thursday will see Mr. Trump meeting Prime Minister Keir Starmer at his country residence, Chequers.
Police swiftly intervened in these protest stunts, making arrests related to the projection. The group behind the banner, “Everyone Hates Elon” (known for similar actions against Elon Musk), stated their aim was to embarrass the president by highlighting his past association with the convicted sex trafficker.
Mr. Trump’s visit, occurring in a country where he is generally unpopular, has also prompted Channel 4, a public broadcaster, to plan a multi-hour special fact-checking his past statements. Protests are scheduled for Wednesday in London, culminating in a march to Parliament Square.
Mr. Trump has recently faced renewed scrutiny over his ties to Epstein, who died in prison in 2019 after being arrested on sex trafficking charges. Recent document releases have further detailed their association, a matter Mr. Trump has consistently dismissed as a “hoax.”
The “Everyone Hates Elon” banner, measuring approximately 65 feet by 65 feet, was funded by about 2,000 crowdsourced donors. The projection onto Windsor Castle’s towers was reportedly carried out by another group, “Led By Donkeys,” which also shared images on Instagram.
Chief Superintendent Felicity Parker of the Thames Valley Police confirmed prompt action to stop the projection, leading to four arrests for malicious communications. Wednesday’s protests in London are expected to conclude at Parliament Square.
Channel 4’s special will air Wednesday night, presenting what it terms Mr. Trump’s “untruths, falsehoods and distortions” since January, alongside fact checks. Ian Katz, Channel 4’s chief content officer, expressed hope that the program would “remind viewers how disorientating and dangerous the world becomes when the most powerful man on earth shows little regard for the truth.”
President Trump and Melania arrived in Britain on Tuesday night for their two-day state visit, an unusual second honor, hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla.
When do the events begin?
On Wednesday, a guard of honor will welcome the Trumps at Windsor Castle around midday. They will have lunch with the royal family, and Mr. Trump will witness a fly-past by the Red Arrows and American F-35 jets. A military display known as Beating Retreat is also scheduled. In the evening, a traditional white-tie banquet will be held at Windsor Castle, where both Mr. Trump and King Charles are expected to deliver speeches.
What happens Thursday?
Thursday’s agenda includes President Trump’s travel to Chequers, the Prime Minister’s country residence, for a meeting with Keir Starmer. They are slated to visit the Winston Churchill archives, attend a business reception, and hold a joint news conference. Meanwhile, Mrs. Trump will remain at Windsor to visit Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House with Queen Camilla, and later join Catherine, Princess of Wales, at Frogmore Gardens for an event with Britain’s Scouts Association.
Are protests planned?
Indeed. A demonstration is organized for Wednesday in London, culminating in a march to Parliament Square. However, the state visit program has been strategically designed to mitigate security risks and minimize public interaction with a president generally unpopular in Britain. The carriage procession will be confined to the royal grounds at Windsor, and no formal events are scheduled for central London.