Wales' first minister declines King's invitation to state banquet for Donald Trump
Eluned Morgan says she will remain with colleagues after the death of a Senedd member; decision draws criticism from Welsh Conservatives and commentary from other UK party leaders
Wales' First Minister Eluned Morgan has declined the King’s invitation to a state banquet for US President Donald Trump at Windsor Castle, saying she must remain with colleagues during an "incredibly difficult time" following the death of Caerphilly Member of the Senedd Hefin David.
Morgan wrote to the King to "thank him for his gracious invite" but said her place was with colleagues in Wales. The decision was announced by the Welsh government as President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived in London on Tuesday night for his second state visit to the UK.
The Welsh government framed the refusal as a matter of local duty, saying Morgan wanted to support members of her administration and colleagues in the Senedd after the recent death. A senior Welsh Conservative criticised her absence, calling it a "no show" that exposed political turmoil in Welsh Labour and described it as a "weakness" for not representing the nation at a major state event.
Morgan has previously expressed a range of views about President Trump. She congratulated him on his re-election last year and described the US–Wales relationship as "highly valued." In a 2017 interview with BBC Wales she described him as "off-the-scale crazy," remarks the Welsh government has not repeated in its recent statement.
The state visit has drawn varied responses across the UK. In August, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said he would boycott the banquet to protest the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Scottish First Minister John Swinney has said he will attend the Windsor event. Plaid Cymru leaders Rhun ap Iorwerth and Liz Saville Roberts criticised the UK government's decision to grant full state honours to President Trump, saying his presence could "embolden extremism at home and abroad."
Separately, talks on scrapping US tariffs on UK steel are reported to be on hold as US officials have raised concerns about Tata Steel’s planned shift from traditional blast furnaces to electric arc furnaces, due in 2027. The tariff discussions are part of a wider set of trade and diplomatic conversations accompanying the state visit.
The King’s state banquet, a ceremonial event traditionally attended by senior political figures from across the UK, has become a focal point for debate about how elected leaders should respond to the visit. Morgan’s choice to remain in Wales underscores the differing approaches among UK devolved administrations and party leaders to participation in the high-profile state occasion.