Crystal Charles
The United Kingdom has rolled out the royal red carpet for United States President Donald Trump’s second state visit to the country, with an extraordinary show of pomp and pageantry unfolding entirely behind closed doors, far from planned protests in London.
Trump was greeted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, September 17, ahead of trade talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, the British leader’s rural retreat on Thursday, September 18. The visit comes amid critical US-UK trade negotiations, with both nations expected to announce deals in technology and civil nuclear energy, and to finalize an agreement on metal tariffs.
Arriving by helicopter at the US ambassador’s residence in London on Tuesday, September 16, with First Lady Melania Trump, the US president said, “A lot of things here warm my heart,” referencing his Scottish heritage and his UK golf courses. Trump also called Charles “my friend,” who is currently undergoing cancer treatment.
“This state visit is certainly unprecedented,” said Al Jazeera correspondent Milena Veselinovic from Windsor Castle, noting that the UK government hopes the spectacle of a state visit will create goodwill and encourage cooperation on trade and foreign policy matters.
The visit will include a series of private ceremonies at Windsor Castle. Prince William and Catherine will welcome the Trumps, followed by King Charles and Queen Camilla joining a carriage procession across the castle grounds. The couple will lay a wreath at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II and will witness a military band ceremony, culminating in a historic flypast by US and British F-35 jets alongside the Royal Air Force’s Red Arrows.
The event will also feature the largest guard of honour at a UK state visit, with 120 horses and 1,300 troops. The day will conclude with a white-tie state banquet during which Trump and King Charles are scheduled to deliver speeches.