King Charles III To Welcome Trump With State Banquet, Carriage Ride At Windsor Castle
Donald Trump said Tuesday after arriving in London that he loved being back in the United Kingdom, calling it a "very special place." Asked if he had a message for Charles, he said the king was a longtime friend of his and well-respected.
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US President Donald Trump and Melania Trump's first state visit to UK in June 2019
It's an experience beyond what money can purchase.
As King Charles III prepares for Donald Trump's arrival on Wednesday, carriages are receiving their polish, generations of royal silverware is being arranged, and precious diamonds are being readied for what will be the pinnacle of the US president's historic second state visit to Britain.
Numerous military personnel, gardeners, and culinary staff are finalizing preparations to ensure President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump receive complete royal hospitality. This grand display serves a diplomatic purpose: strengthening relationships with a world leader known for appreciating opulence, particularly as his America First policies continue to challenge international trade and security frameworks.
Upon arriving in London Tuesday, Trump expressed his delight at returning to the United Kingdom, describing it as "a very special place." When asked about his message for Charles, he noted that the king was a longstanding friend who commands great respect.
Windsor Castle, an almost millennium-old royal residence featuring ornate gilded interiors, tower battlements, and invaluable art collections, will provide the setting for the first day's events.
This regal environment appears to have captivated Trump, who set aside his characteristic boldness to describe the Windsor invitation as "a great, great honor."
"I believe this also explains his visible excitement about this second meeting, as such invitations aren't extended to just anyone," explained George Gross, a British monarchy specialist at King's College London.
Thursday will mark the visit's second phase, when Trump meets British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, the 16th-century redbrick country estate northwest of London that serves as the prime minister's official retreat. The British government hopes a technology agreement to be signed during the visit will emphasize that trans-Atlantic bonds remain strong despite differences regarding Ukraine, Middle Eastern policy, and NATO's future.
While British royals relinquished actual political authority long ago, their historical significance, traditions, and celebrity status create a prestige that makes presidents and prime ministers eager for royal invitations. These invitations, extended at the elected government's request, become powerful diplomatic tools to reward allies and extract concessions from hesitant partners.
No American president, or indeed any world leader, has previously received the honor of a second UK state visit. This distinction will surely resonate with a president who frequently uses superlatives to describe his achievements and has openly expressed admiration for British royalty.
The day begins with King Charles and Queen Camilla formally receiving the Trumps at Windsor Castle.
Following this, they'll embark on a horse-drawn carriage tour through the estate—6,400 hectares (15,800 acres) of farmland, forest and open spaces including a former royal hunting ground that continues to host 500 red deer.
Upon returning to the castle, a military band will perform "God Save the King" and "The Star-Spangled Banner" before Trump and the king inspect an honor guard featuring soldiers in traditional scarlet uniforms topped with distinctive bearskin hats.
After a private lunch and viewing an exhibition of documents and artwork illustrating British-American relations, the evening's state banquet will provide glamour and sophistication.
Tiaras and medals will adorn guests as approximately 160 formally dressed attendees gather around a 50-meter mahogany table set with 200-year-old silverware to honor the president. Charles will deliver remarks, followed by ceremonial toasts from both the king and president.
Trump will not, however, have the opportunity to address Parliament in joint session as French President Emmanuel Macron did during his July state visit, since the House of Commons is in recess. The president also missed this honor during his first state visit due to opposition from then-Speaker John Bercow.
Most state visits occur in London, with Buckingham Palace and the flag-lined Mall providing a majestic backdrop. This visit, however, takes place in the more intimate setting of Windsor, a historic town of just over 30,000 residents approximately 25 miles (40 kilometers) west of central London.
This location facilitates better protest management and presidential security during heightened international tensions, particularly following the recent fatal shooting of Trump ally Charlie Kirk in Utah. British police have nonetheless implemented extensive security measures to ensure presidential safety.
During Trump's first state visit in 2019, thousands of protesters filled streets near Parliament as a balloon depicting a giant, diaper-wearing baby Trump floated overhead.
This time, demonstrators waited until nightfall to make their presence known. The activist group Led By Donkeys projected an image of Trump with late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein onto a castle tower, resulting in four arrests.
Historian Robert Lacey, a consultant for Netflix's "The Crown," anticipated many would express their views in traditional British satirical fashion. Nevertheless, he described Windsor as providing a more "photogenic setting" for a state visit than London.
"Buckingham Palace has got its balcony, it's got its façade," he said. But "inside it's very dreary and it's currently being renovated, which is one reason why Mr. Trump will not be staying there. Windsor is a proper castle."
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