LONDON, July 14 — Buckingham Palace has confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will be hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla for a state visit to the United Kingdom from September 17 to 19, marking an unprecedented second state visit for a sitting American president.
The royal welcome will take place at Windsor Castle, where the Trumps will be received with full ceremonial honors, including a state banquet in St George’s Hall. The visit follows Trump’s first state visit in 2019, hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II, and breaks with tradition, as second-term U.S. presidents typically receive informal receptions rather than full state honors.
The invitation was personally delivered by British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during a February meeting at the White House. Trump described the gesture as a “great, great honour,” adding, “And that says at Windsor—that’s really something”.
Due to scheduling conflicts, a proposed informal meeting at Balmoral or Dumfries House in Scotland was ruled out. However, Trump is expected to visit one of his golf properties in Aberdeenshire or Ayrshire, prompting early security preparations by Police Scotland.
The House of Commons will be in recess during the visit, meaning Trump will not address MPs as French President Emmanuel Macron did during his recent state visit. However, the House of Lords will be in session, and senior royals including the Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to participate in the events.
The visit is seen as a strategic opportunity for soft diplomacy, with Prime Minister Starmer aiming to strengthen bilateral ties and influence Trump on key issues such as trade and the war in Ukraine. Trump has previously expressed admiration for the royal family, stating, “I have great respect for King Charles and the family, William. We have really just a great respect for the family”.
This high-profile visit comes amid global attention on Trump’s foreign policy moves and King Charles’s recent engagements abroad, including his May visit to Canada. The September event is expected to draw significant public interest and heightened security measures.
King Charles to Host Donald and Melania Trump for Historic Second State Visit in September
