Former U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived in London on Tuesday evening for a second state visit, a historic first for an American president. King Charles III extended the invitation, with a royal welcome at Windsor Castle. U.S. Ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens and Viscount Henry Hood, the King’s representative, greeted the Trumps at Stansted Airport.
The visit, running from September 17th to 19th, will involve a series of official engagements and ceremonial events. Trump’s prior visit was in May 2019, with the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The Trumps’ schedule includes a formal welcome from the Prince and Princess of Wales on Wednesday morning at Windsor, followed by a meeting with King Charles and Queen Camilla. Buckingham Palace announced the royal welcome, including salutes from the Eastern Lawn of Windsor Castle and the Tower of London.
A traditional carriage procession from Windsor Estate to the castle will involve Trump, the King and Queen, and the Prince and Princess of Wales. The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment will provide an escort, with military bands participating along the route.
The Guard of Honor will feature the Foot Guards Massed Band, and the band will perform the national anthems of the U.S. and the UK. President Trump will inspect the Guard of Honor with the King.
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, the Household Cavalry, and the Foot Guards will march past before entering Windsor Castle. A luncheon and a special exhibition related to the United States are planned inside the castle.
Trump will lay a wreath at the tomb of the late Queen Elizabeth II at St. George’s Chapel. The Trumps will also tour the historic chapel and attend a concert.
A joint flypast by U.S. and UK military aircraft is expected, weather permitting. The state banquet will highlight the close relationship between the two nations with speeches by Trump and the British monarch.
On Thursday, Trump will bid farewell to the King and Queen. He will then travel to Chequers to meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with a Guard of Honor welcoming him at the Prime Minister’s residence.
Discussions are expected to cover trade and investment, further solidifying existing agreements. The visit includes a review of Sir Winston Churchill’s records and a joint press conference.
Significant investment from U.S. entities is expected. Google has already announced an investment in AI. The British government had previously announced significant U.S. investment in financial services.
Peter Kyle, British Minister for Trade and Commerce, emphasized these investments, highlighting the strength of the ‘Golden Corridor’ between the UK and the U.S. Protests are expected during the visit, requiring a large security operation in Windsor and London.