US President Donald Trump will travel to the UK today for an unprecedented second state visit. The visit is unusual because American presidents in their second term are normally not given a full state visit. Instead, they are usually invited for a more informal meeting, like tea or lunch with the monarch. This was the case for former presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, as well. But Trump, who has been the first ever convicted felon to become US president, has received the invitation for a second state visit.
Both Trump and First Lady Melania, will be hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla at the Windsor Castle. This will be Trump’s first meeting with Charles since he became king. Let’s break down the full itinerary here:
Trump’s UK Visit: Full Itinerary
September 16: Trump’s arrival, to be welcomed by US ambassador and Viscount Hood
Trump, along with First Lady Melania Trump, will arrive in the UK on Tuesday evening. They will be welcomed on behalf of the King by the US ambassador and Viscount Hood, a royal representative, the Independent reported. According to Buckingham Palace, there will be no public events on the first day. The president will remain inside the private grounds of Windsor Castle. The Trumps will stay overnight at the royal residence.
September 17: Trump’s Royal Welcome – A day of pageantry at Windsor Castle
The next day, Trump and Melania will be welcomed by the Kate and William (Prince and Princess of Wales) at the Windsor Castle, before meeting King Charles and Queen Camilla. The couple will also take part in a carriage procession through the Windsor estate, joined by Charles, Camilla, William, and Kate. The route will be lined with members of the Armed Forces, while three military bands from the Royal Marines, the Army, and the RAF perform.
Trump, alongside King Charles, will review the Guard of Honour at Windsor Castle. The Royal Family will then host the Trumps in the State Dining Room, followed by a tour of a special display from the Royal Collection featuring items connected to the United States.
Later, the Trumps will visit Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb at St George’s Chapel where he is expected to lay a wreath and pay his respects.
The day will also feature a flypast by the Red Arrows and UK and US F-35 jets, along with a special military ceremony. In the evening, a grand state banquet at Windsor Castle will close the visit, with both Trump and King Charles delivering speeches.
September 18: Trump to hold talks with UK PM, Melania’s Royal day out with Kate
Trump will be welcomed at Chequers on Thursday with a guard of honour from RAF Halton. There, he will be received by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his wife, Lady Victoria.
The US President will then view the Sir Winston Churchill archives kept at Chequers, before holding a one-on-one meeting with Starmer. Later, both leaders will attend a business reception hosted by the Chancellor at the same venue.
Meanwhile, Melania will visit Windsor Castle to see Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House and the Royal Library. She will then join Princess Kate at Frogmore Gardens for an outdoor session with Chief Scout Dwayne Fields and children from the Scouts’ Squirrels programme, who are working on their Go Wild badge. Kate has been Joint President of the Scout Association since 2020.
The First Lady will then return to Chequers to rejoin her husband. The Starmer couple will officially bid farewell to the Trumps at Chequers, while the Lord Chamberlain will take leave on behalf of King Charles, marking the end of the state visit.