President Trump’s Windsor Castle stay features grand suite, ‘Royal Blend’ tea and full military honors

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump began a second state visit to the United Kingdom with an overnight stay at Windsor Castle that included accommodation in a grand guest suite, the presentation of a Windsor "Royal Blend" tea and full military honors, British and royal household officials and commentators said.

The couple arrived in the U.K. on Tuesday and were met at Windsor by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. No public events were scheduled for the evening; official engagements were due to begin on Wednesday when King Charles III hosts a state banquet in St. George’s Hall, royal experts said. Hundreds of royal staff and security personnel worked through the castle grounds in advance of the visit, and police deployed a drone operation to monitor the area.

British royals expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital that the Trumps were staying in one of Windsor Castle’s grand guest suites reserved for heads of state, each of which has adjoining bedrooms. Fordwich said the visit would include "full military honor guards, three brass bands, and the highly anticipated banquet in St George’s Hall," and that a local Windsor black tea, referred to as the "Royal Blend," would be offered during the stay.

Helena Chard, a British broadcaster and photographer, said the state apartments are lavishly furnished and often include portraits of former monarchs and members of the Order of the Garter. The visit coincides with long‑standing ceremonial traditions: menus for state banquets are typically presented in French, and the Waterloo Table in St. George’s Hall — capable of seating up to 160 guests — requires several days to set and more than 4,000 pieces of silver and china for a formal dinner.

Organizers said the state banquet will follow established protocol: men will wear white tie and tails, women formal gowns and jewels, and senior female members of the royal household are expected to wear tiaras. Chef Darren McGrady, who served as a royal chef for 15 years and cooked for several U.S. presidents, said guests should expect strict etiquette at the table and that fruit and certain items are pre‑prepared; finger bowls will be available for guests to use if needed.

Fordwich said menus would be prepared by Head Royal Chef Mark Flanagan and are likely to combine British and American tastes with locally sourced ingredients from the castle gardens and regional producers. She said the menu list would be unveiled the night of the banquet in line with longstanding tradition.

King Charles invited Mr. Trump for a second state visit in February 2025; the president has said his relationship with the king is "very good" and referred to Charles as a "friend." Trump and his wife were previously hosted by Queen Elizabeth II during a state visit in 2019. The Trump visit to Windsor marks the first time a U.S. president has been invited twice for a state visit by a British monarch.

Ingrid Seward, editor‑in‑chief of Majesty magazine, described the visit as symbolically important for the monarchy’s role in strengthening bilateral relations, noting that the sovereign is constitutionally required to remain politically neutral but may exercise "soft power" through ceremonial hosting and state occasions.

Windsor Castle, founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, has served as a royal residence and ceremonial site for nearly a millennium. It was expanded in the 14th century by Edward III, who created St. George’s Hall for the Order of the Garter, and has been used by monarchs from Queen Victoria to the late Queen Elizabeth II, who spent extended periods there during the coronavirus pandemic.

After the welcoming ceremonies, the Trumps were scheduled to view an exhibition at the castle of documents and artworks that officials say highlight the United Kingdom’s historical and constitutional ties with the United States. The state banquet in St. George’s Hall is the centerpiece of the visit; the table settings and formal arrangements are managed by the royal household’s ceremonial teams and typically require multiple days of preparation.

Officials said the visit will emphasize ceremonial ties and the long‑standing relationship between the two countries. No policy announcements were tied to the Windsor events, and aides framed the engagement as a state ceremonial visit hosted by the monarch rather than a platform for political statements.