State Visits are known for pomp and ceremony, and the US State Visit was no different, in fact, it was even grander than those before. US President Donald Trump has begun his second State Visit to the United Kingdom, the first time an elected politician has ever been given this honour, following his election win last year.
Unlike his first visit, this time the setting was Windsor Castle, currently the setting for state occasions while Buckingham Palace undergoes major refurbishment. Speaking before his departure from Washington, President Trump highlighted the change in venue, telling reporters: ‘This one’s at Windsor, they’ve never used Windsor Castle for this before, they use Buckingham Palace. I don’t wanna say one is better than the other but they say that Windsor Castle is the ultimate, right?’
The President emphasised that his focus was not politics but his personal relationships with Britain’s royals. ‘Tariffs are on the table’ he acknowledged when asked about trade talks, ‘but the focus of this trip is my royal friends’. He described The King as ‘an elegant gentleman’ who ‘represents the country so well’ adding, ‘they’ve been friends of mine for a long time, long before he was king, and it’s an honour to have him as King’.
Oh dear. Not such a great diplomatic start. Protesters managed to project images of Jeffrey Epstein, Donald Trump and Prince Andrew onto the outside walls of Windsor Castle. #Trump #statevisit pic.twitter.com/yO0fnqk5Sa
— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) September 16, 2025
Prior to the State Visit taking place, protesters projected images of the President and Prince Andrew alongside deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, on to Windsor Castle. Thames Valley Police later said that four people had been arrested on suspicion of malicious communications.
Beginning the State Visit, The US President and First Lady were greeted by The Prince and Princess of Wales on the Windsor Estate following the arrival of Air Force One in the private Home Park.
The Princess of Wales wore an Emilia Wickstead dress, which she has paired with a hat by Jane Taylor and the Prince of Wales Feather Brooch. It had previously been reported that the President and First Lady felt very honoured that Her Royal Highness was playing a key role in the events given her cancer diagnosis last year and subsequent treatment.
The King and Queen then met the President and First Lady at the front of Victoria House.
Queen Camilla wore a bright blue dress and coat by Fiona Clare, along with a hat by Philip Treacy and Queen Mary’s Russian Sapphire Cluster Brooch.
Her Majesty’s appearance comes after she had to pull out of attending the Duchess of Kent’s funeral yesterday due to suffering from acute sinusitis.
The Presidential couple, The King and Queen and The Prince and Princess of Wales then took part in a carriage procession and were joined by 80 soldiers from the House Cavalry Mounted Regiment with the Life Guards.
The processional route, not open to the public, was lined by 22 half-companies of personnel from throughout the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the British Army and the Royal Air Force.
First in the procession was The King and President Trump, who travelled in the Irish State Coach. Next was Queen Camilla and First Lady Melania Trump, in the Scottish State Coach.
In the next carriage, a semi-state landau, was be The Prince and Princess of Wales, who were joined by the US ambassador and his wife.
The last two coaches carried senior figures in Trump’s administration and senior assistants to the President and First Lady.
Originally the carriages were supposed to be open, however due to the rainy weather, carriages were closed to keep the group dry.
A guard of honour formed consisting of the Grenadier Guards, the Coldstream Guards and the Scots Guards, which were inspected by The President.
UK and US military musicians then staged a special Beating Retreat ceremony, making it the first time such a performance had ever been held for a state visit.
After lunch, President Trump and Melania were shown themed items from the Royal Collection, following tradition. This included a letter written by Queen Elizabeth (later The Queen Mother) describing a picnic at President Roosevelt’s holiday home in 1939 and a tickertape message sent from Queen Victoria to President James Buchanan in 1858, describing a friendship ‘founded upon their common interest and reciprocal esteem.’
The exchanging of gifts – a key staple of a State Visit – also took place. The King and Queen gave the President a bespoke hand-bound leather volume to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Trump will also receive the Union Flag that flew over Buckingham Palace on the day of his second inauguration. Charles and Camilla will give the First Lady a silver and enamel bowl handcrafted by Northern Irish artist Cara Murphy and a personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag.
From the incoming party, the President will give His Majesty a replica of a President Eisenhower sword as a ‘reminder of the historical partnership that was critical to winning World War II’. Whilst The Queen will receive a Tiffany & Co vintage 18K gold, diamond & ruby flower brooch.
