King Charles to Welcome President Trump for Unprecedented Second UK State Visit at Windsor Castle
Ceremonial welcome, carriage procession and state banquet aim to underscore Anglo‑American ties amid policy differences as Trump meets Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers
King Charles III will formally receive U.S. President Donald Trump at Windsor Castle on Wednesday as the centerpiece of an unprecedented second state visit to the United Kingdom, with a ceremonial welcome, military procession and a state banquet designed to showcase the historic trans‑Atlantic relationship even as governments confront policy differences on trade, security and global conflicts.
The day at Windsor will include a horse‑drawn carriage ride across the royal estate, the playing of national anthems and an inspection of an honour guard in scarlet tunics and bearskin hats, followed by a private lunch, a visit to an exhibit of documents and art highlighting UK–U.S. ties, and a formal state banquet at which King Charles and the president are expected to deliver speeches and offer toasts. British officials said a technology agreement is expected to be signed during the visit to underline continuing cooperation.
Hundreds of military personnel, gardeners and palace staff have been preparing Windsor's gilded interiors, kitchens and grounds for the guest of honour. Organisers said the more intimate setting of Windsor, an almost 1,000‑year‑old royal residence west of London, will make it easier to manage security and control protests than a visit staged at Buckingham Palace and the Mall. British police have mounted an extensive operation to protect the president and first lady, who arrived in London on Tuesday.
The visit will continue on Thursday when the president meets Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, the 16th‑century country residence of British prime ministers, where officials hope a new technology deal will signal that the trans‑Atlantic partnership remains strong despite disagreements over matters including Ukraine, the Middle East and NATO.
No U.S. president has previously been granted a second U.K. state visit. George Gross, a monarchy expert at King's College London, said the invitation is a rare diplomatic honour. "I think that also is why he seems so visibly excited about the second meeting, because it isn’t an invitation given to (just) anyone," Gross said.
Royal historian Robert Lacey, who consulted on the Netflix series The Crown, said Windsor provides a photogenic backdrop for the ceremony and that Buckingham Palace’s ongoing refurbishment was one reason the visit was staged at Windsor. "Windsor is a proper castle," Lacey said.
President Trump praised the visit after arriving in London, calling the United Kingdom "a very special place." He described the royal invitation as "a great, great honor," and the first couple are to be hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla, with the Prince and Princess of Wales expected to attend events on the Windsor estate.
The formal banquet will be a lavish affair, officials said, with up to 160 guests gathered around a long mahogany table set with historic silver. The programme includes ceremonial music from a military band and a planned flypast by British and American aircraft over the castle grounds.
Trump will not address a joint sitting of Parliament during this visit because the House of Commons is in recess. He similarly did not speak to Parliament during his first state visit, which drew large protests in 2019, when demonstrators filled streets outside the Houses of Parliament.
Security planning has been heightened in part because organisers want to limit disruption and ensure the president’s safety amid what authorities described as an elevated risk environment. The government has said it will use the visit to reinforce close working ties and to secure agreements that reflect shared economic and security interests.
British officials described the visit as both ceremonial and strategic: a high‑profile display of tradition intended to smooth tensions and enable behind‑closed‑doors discussions on pressing bilateral and global issues. The programme through Thursday seeks to balance pageantry with diplomatic talks that officials on both sides hope will translate into concrete cooperation on technology, trade and defence.