Former US President Donald Trump is currently in the United Kingdom for an unprecedented second state visit.
Mr. Trump and his wife, Melania, are guests of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle, with their stay scheduled to conclude on Thursday evening.
The former president was previously hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II during a state visit in June 2019.
A state visit represents a formal diplomatic engagement in the UK by a head of state, typically arranged at the invitation of the monarch upon governmental advisement.
Beyond their ceremonial grandeur, these visits serve as platforms for governments to advance Britain’s strategic interests.
Traditionally, a second state visit is not extended to US presidents serving a subsequent term. Instead, an invitation for tea or lunch with the monarch is customary, as was the case with former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush.
However, in February, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer conveyed an invitation from King Charles to Mr. Trump during a White House meeting focused on a potential UK-US trade agreement. Sir Keir described the invitation as “truly historic” and “unprecedented.”
At the time of the invitation, Mr. Trump expressed that it was a “great, great honour.”
Tuesday
Upon their arrival at Stansted Airport on Tuesday evening, the Trumps were greeted by US Ambassador Warren Stephens and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.
The Viscount Hood, Lord-in-Waiting, extended a welcome on behalf of the King.
Upon arriving in the UK, the former president remarked: “I have a lot of things here that warm my heart. I want to tell you. It’s a very special place.”
The couple spent the night at the US ambassador’s residence, Winfield House, located in central London.
Wednesday
Mr. Trump and the First Lady traveled to Windsor by helicopter, where they were received by the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Subsequently, they were formally welcomed by the King and Queen before participating in a carriage procession through the Windsor estate.
Royal salutes were conducted in Windsor and at the Tower of London, and the King invited Mr. Trump to inspect the guard of honour.
Following a private luncheon with members of the Royal Family, the former president visited St George’s Chapel in Windsor and laid a wreath on the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II.
The planned joint flypast featuring UK and US F-35 military jets and the Red Arrows has been reduced in scope due to adverse weather conditions. The Red Arrows are still scheduled to appear over Windsor.
Later on Wednesday evening, a state banquet is to be held at the castle, during which both the King and the former president will deliver remarks.
Thursday
The former president is scheduled to travel to the prime minister’s country house, Chequers, in Buckinghamshire, for a meeting with Sir Keir.
They will view the Sir Winston Churchill archives before holding a meeting and a press conference.
Melania Trump will remain at Windsor Castle, where she will tour the Royal Library and view Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, a notable miniature palace constructed in the 1920s.
She is also scheduled to meet Chief Scout Dwayne Fields with Catherine, who is joint president of the Scout Association.
Mrs. Trump will then rejoin her husband at Chequers before their return to the United States.
Accompanying Mr. Trump are US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, special envoy Steve Witkoff, chief of staff Susie Wiles, and “other senior White House staff.”
Mr. Trump arrived in the UK aboard his customized Boeing 747-200B aircraft, known as Air Force One.
On the ground, the former president travels in Cadillac One, an enhanced limousine known as “The Beast.”
Two identical versions of the presidential limousine, as well as several other Secret Service vehicles, were transported to the UK via military cargo planes in advance of Mr. Trump’s arrival.
While Mr. Trump will undertake some short journeys by limousine in the UK, he is expected to primarily travel by air, as was the case during his trip to Scotland in July.
The former president has brought a fleet of helicopters, including Marine One, which, similar to Air Force One, refers to any US Marine Corps aircraft carrying the president.
Security measures for the former president have been intensified in recent days following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at a university in Utah.
The footage appeared on Tuesday night as Mr. Trump arrived in the UK.
Anti-Trump demonstrators were present among the crowds in Windsor on Wednesday.
Thousands of people also gathered near the BBC’s headquarters in London on Wednesday afternoon before marching towards Whitehall.
Some demonstrators carried banners with messages such as, “No to racism, no to Trump.”
Others displayed smaller versions of the 20ft Trump baby blimp balloon, which was featured during protests against the US president’s first state visit in 2019.
The demonstration was organized by the Stop Trump UK coalition, comprising over 50 campaign organizations, including climate, anti-racism, and pro-Palestinian activists.
The coalition had previously called for the cancellation of the state visit, accusing the US president of “denying climate science” and “siding with war criminals – in Israel, Russia and beyond.”
The group also organized protests in Aberdeen and Edinburgh during Mr. Trump’s recent visit to Scotland, drawing hundreds of participants in both cities.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey stated his intention to boycott the ceremonial banquet for Mr. Trump in order to “send a message” regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Since King Charles succeeded Queen Elizabeth in September 2022, he has hosted state visits from several international leaders and royals:
He and Queen Camilla have undertaken state visits to France, Italy, Germany, Kenya, and Samoa.
A coalition of more than 50 groups have organised a march in central London against the visit.
Susan Monarez testified she had refused RFK Jr’s demands to approve vaccine recommendations because they were not based on science.
The Liberal Democrat leader says the UK’s pharmaceutical industry is under “attack”.
The former president criticised the response to the shooting by President Trump, who has vowed to tackle “radical leftists”.
Eluned Morgan declines the King’s invitation to a Windsor Castle banquet with Donald Trump.