The American president and his wife, Melania Trump, were welcomed by Prince William and Princess Catherine before meeting King Charles and Queen Camilla. A 41-gun salute thundered across Windsor’s lawns, echoed by another at the Tower of London. The couple was then escorted in a black-and-gold carriage through Windsor estate, surrounded by cavalry and hundreds of troops in red tunics and plumed helmets.
According to UK officials, more than 1,300 members of the military and 120 horses took part in the largest ceremonial guard of honor for a state visit in recent memory.
State Banquet and Diplomatic Messages
At the banquet, attended by 160 guests, King Charles praised Trump’s “personal commitment to seeking peace.” Trump, in turn, called the dinner “one of the highest honors of my life,” and compared the US-UK alliance to “two notes in one chord.”
Gifts were exchanged during the visit. The royals presented Trump with a book celebrating the upcoming 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence, while Trump gifted Charles a replica sword once owned by President Dwight Eisenhower.
Protests in London
While the royal ceremony dazzled inside Windsor, thousands of protesters gathered in London. Demonstrators carried Palestinian flags and banners declaring “Migrants welcome, Trump not welcome.” An estimated 5,000 people participated, highlighting Trump’s continued unpopularity among sections of the British public.
Private Moments and Historical Tributes
Trump and Melania privately met William and Catherine in what palace officials described as “warm and friendly.” The US leader also laid a wreath at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II, Charles’s mother, and toured a collection of US-related artifacts, including an 1862 letter from President Abraham Lincoln to Queen Victoria.
Political Undertones
The visit, though heavy on ceremony, carried significant political weight. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to meet Trump at Chequers, the prime minister’s country residence. Both leaders are likely to emphasize bilateral investment, with companies such as GSK and Google announcing fresh commitments. However, controversies — including Epstein-related scandals affecting both Trump and UK officials — continue to cast shadows.
Trump is the first US president to be honored with two state visits to Britain, following his 2019 visit hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II. The pomp-filled reception underscores Britain’s effort to use royal diplomacy to maintain close ties with Washington amid global challenges.