London: US President Donald Trump is set to arrive in the United Kingdom on Tuesday for what will be his second state visit, marking an unprecedented event as he becomes the first US president to have a second state visit to the UK. The visit, anticipated to last from September 16 to September 18, will see Trump accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump. The occasion follows his initial visit in June 2019, hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
According to BBC, the invitation for this visit was extended by King Charles III and delivered by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during a February meeting at the White House. The meeting aimed to discuss a UK-US trade deal, with Sir Keir describing the invitation as “truly historic” and “unprecedented.” President Trump expressed his gratitude, calling the invitation a “great, great honour.”
Upon their arrival, the Trumps will be welcomed by US Ambassador Warren Stephens and the Viscount Hood, Lord-in-Waiting, who will greet them on behalf of the King. The royal welcome will take place at Windsor Castle, where the Trumps will be greeted by the Prince and Princess of Wales and formally welcomed by King Charles and Queen Camilla. The visit will feature a series of events, including a royal salute and a flypast by UK and US F-35 military jets and the Red Arrows.
During the visit, President Trump will lay a wreath at St George’s Chapel on the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II and attend a state banquet at Windsor Castle, where both he and King Charles will deliver speeches. The president is also scheduled to travel to Chequers, the prime minister’s country house in Buckinghamshire, to meet with Sir Keir. This meeting will include a viewing of the Sir Winston Churchill archives, followed by a press conference.
While President Trump is engaged in these activities, Melania Trump will remain at Windsor Castle. Her itinerary includes a tour of the Royal Library and Queen Mary’s Dolls House, and a meeting with Chief Scout Dwayne Fields alongside Catherine, who serves as joint president of the Scout Association.
The visit is another in a series of state visits hosted by King Charles since he assumed the throne in September 2022, following Queen Elizabeth’s passing. Recent visits include those from French President Emmanuel Macron, the Emir of Qatar, Emperor Naruhito of Japan, and Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, as well as state visits by King Charles and Queen Camilla to several international destinations.