US President Donald Trump has arrived in the United Kingdom for a state visit with his wife, Melania. The trip, held at the invitation of King Charles III, is a rare honor. It is designed to strengthen diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between nations.
What makes this visit unusual is that Trump has been invited for a second time. He first visited in 2019, hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II. No other US president has ever been offered two state visits.
What Happens During a State Visit?
A UK state visit follows a well-established script. The monarch greets the visiting leader with full royal ceremony. This usually includes a carriage procession, an inspection of the guard of honor, and a private lunch with the king and queen.
The highlight is the grand state banquet. Around 150 guests attend, chosen for their political, economic, or cultural connections.
Visiting leaders often also lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey. In some cases, they address parliament. French President Emmanuel Macron did so earlier this year. Trump, however, will not address parliament during this trip because lawmakers are on recess.
Politics and Protests
Trump’s 2019 state visit attracted mass protests in London. Demonstrations are again planned for this week. To avoid clashes, he has no public events scheduled in the capital.
Instead, he will meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, the official countryside residence. The two leaders will also attend a business reception and hold a joint press conference.
A Diplomatic Tradition
Since his accession in 2022, King Charles has hosted several leaders on state visits. They include South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Japanese Emperor Naruhito, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, and French President Emmanuel Macron.
With Buckingham Palace under renovation, this visit will be based at Windsor Castle. Traditionally, second-term US presidents are invited only for tea or lunch. Trump’s return, therefore, marks an exception in royal diplomacy.
