Photo: Alamy
President Donald Trump will return to the United Kingdom for an official state visit from Sept. 17 to 19, Buckingham Palace announced Monday, marking the first time a U.S. president has been invited for a second state visit.
Trump will be hosted by King Charles II and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle, with First Lady Melania Trump accompanying him for the three-day visit. The palace confirmed the itinerary, which will include formal ceremonies and a state banquet.
The upcoming visit comes more than five years after Trump’s first state visit to the U.K. in 2019, when he was welcomed by the late Queen Elizabeth II with full honors at Buckingham Palace.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer personally delivered the invitation for this second state visit during a White House meeting in February. Trump called the invitation a “great, great honor” and expressed enthusiasm about staying at Windsor Castle. “That’s really something,” he said.
While other presidents who served two terms, including George W. Bush and Barack Obama, were invited for more modest gatherings such as tea or lunch with the monarch during their second terms, Trump’s return as a state guest breaks precedent.
State visits are typically used to recognize strong diplomatic relationships and are arranged on the advice of the U.K. government, though they are formally extended by the monarch.
Observers say the invitation reflects Starmer’s effort to maintain close ties with the U.S. and ease any potential tensions stemming from Trump’s policies. The British government has so far avoided some of the steep U.S. tariffs imposed on other allies, in part due to a cooperative relationship with Trump.
State visits remain coveted diplomatic occasions, known for their elaborate pageantry. Guests are typically welcomed with military honors, carriage processions and a formal banquet hosted by the monarch.
While such events are usually held at Buckingham Palace, ongoing renovations have shifted accommodations to Windsor Castle. French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, were also hosted there during their recent state visit.
Trump has been a vocal supporter of the British royal family and maintains a particularly high regard for King Charles. The visit is expected to include both public and private events as the two leaders reinforce the U.S.–U.K. relationship.
