As US President Donald Trump began a two-day state visit to the United Kingdom on Wednesday, he enjoyed the pageantry of the British royal spectacle. He referred to the hours of pomp and pageantry with King Charles III as “one of the highest honours of my life” and found time for a private visit to Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb.
Trump, who loves grandeur, took in every moment of the celebration, including carriage rides, an air show, a royal banquet at Windsor Castle, and the largest guard of honour in living memory, which consisted of 1,300 troops and 120 horses.
When Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meet on Thursday to discuss trade, technology, and geopolitical issues, the real work began after all the fanfare.
No world leader, including any US president, has ever had the privilege of making a second state visit to the UK; Trump did so in 2019, during his previous term. The royal extravaganza was intended to strengthen relations with Trump at a time when his “America First” policies are straining international trade and security arrangements.
During the royal banquet at Windsor Castle on Thursday evening, Trump joked, “This was the second state visit, and that’s the first, and maybe that’s going to be the last time, I hope it is actually.”
Charles and Queen Camilla welcomed Trump and first lady Melania Trump after Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton, met the presidential helicopter in the secluded Walled Garden on the sprawling Windsor estate. From the Royal Tower soared a massive royal standard, the flag of official celebration days.
The visitors passed lines of soldiers, sailors, and pilots on their way to the castle in a procession of horse-drawn carriages. On the short drive to the castle quadrangle, the king and the Republican leader had a chat in the Irish State Coach as they viewed an honour guard of troops wearing bearskin helmets and red tunics.
As the day went on, the duo kept talking and laughing, with the king periodically placing his hand on Trump’s back. During an inspection of troops, the British monarch motioned for the US president to move in front of him. In contrast to 2019, when Trump appeared in front of the late monarch, the king’s invitation prevented a breach of decorum.
Trump also laid a wreath in memory of Elizabeth, who passed away in 2022 at St. George’s Chapel on the castle grounds.
Camilla exuded elegance in a blue embroidered Fiona Clare gown, accessorised with a sapphire and diamond tiara and the King’s Family Order. Charles looked smart in a formal black dinner suit.
The Princess of Wales looked stunning in a full-length, hand-embroidered gold chantilly lace evening coat worn over a couture gown designed by British designer Phillipa Lepley. The coat featured satin-stitched blossoms and French knots to accentuate the hand-embroidered roses with couched gold cording. She accessorised with her favourite Lover’s Knot tiara and jewels that belonged to the late Queen.
Prince William was dressed in formal regalia and his orders, and an elegant Windsor tailcoat.
Melania went for a bold look in a strapless yellow dress and baby pink belt. The Carolina Herrera dress featured full-sleeves and a high side slit. She wore her hair loose and completed the look with sparkling earrings.
Trump and Melania were accompanied by his daughter Tiffany Trump and her business executive husband, Michael Boulos.
Trump stood with his wife Melania, Charles, and Camilla, beaming in a photograph just before the state banquet.
British royals who attended the banquet include Princess Anne, her husband Sir Timothy Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
Tim Cook of Apple, Jensen Huang, the CEO of Nvidia, Sam Altman of Open AI, and golfer Nick Faldo were among the attendees. Rupert Murdoch, the media mogul whom Trump recently sued for $10 billion over The Wall Street Journal’s report on an allegedly sexually provocative letter he wrote to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, also made an appearance.
Norfolk chicken ballotine and Hampshire watercress panna cotta with Parmesan shortbread and quail egg salad were on the menu. A raspberry sherbet-filled vanilla ice cream bombe with delicately poached Victorian plums was served for dessert.
The menu featured Hampshire watercress panna cotta with Parmesan shortbread and quail egg salad, along with Norfolk chicken ballotine wrapped in courgettes, with a thyme and savoury infused jus. Dessert was vanilla ice cream bombe with a raspberry sorbet interior and lightly poached Victorian plums.
Charles toasted Britain’s “remarkable bond” with the US as he stood to speak.
The monarch welcomed the Trumps to Windsor Castle with a warm and witty speech, emphasising the “unparalleled partnership” between the two nations.
He also lightheartedly referred to how former US President Richard Nixon, who was said to be “obsessed” with the British Royal Family, had tried to arrange a marriage between Charles and his daughter, Tricia.
“Had the media succeeded in the 1970s in their own attempt at deepening the special relationship, I might have been married off within the Nixon family!” Charles joked.
“For many decades, His Majesty the King has epitomised the fortitude, nobility, and the spirit of the British monarchy and the British people,” Trump said in his speech after being moved by the king’s remarks.
Speaking to the guests, the US president described receiving an invitation for a second state visit as one of “the highest honours of my life.”
“His Majesty has also raised a remarkable son in His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales,” he said, praising the Prince and Princess of Wales. “Really amazing. We’ve gotten to know you and I think you’re going to have an unbelievable success in future.”
Trump added that he and Melania were thrilled to be returning again with Prince William and to see to see Her Royal Highness, Princess Catherine, so radiant and so healthy, it’s so beautiful. It’s really a great honour, thank you.”