Select Language:
U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in the United Kingdom on Tuesday for a rare second state visit, as the UK government prepared to host him with a royal red carpet to win his favor.
The 79-year-old Republican told reporters after stepping off Air Force One with First Lady Melania Trump, “Many things here truly touch my heart. It’s a very special place.”
King Charles III will host Trump at Windsor Castle on Wednesday for an opulent banquet and a carriage ride. The following day, Trump is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer at his country estate.
As a sign of the grandeur expected, a guard of honor welcomed the Trumps at Stansted Airport near London. Trump also expressed admiration for the British monarch.
“He’s been a friend of mine for a long time, and everyone respects and loves him,” Trump said as he arrived by helicopter at Winfield House, the U.S. ambassador’s residence in London, where he will spend the night.
“Tomorrow’s going to be a very big day.”
This marks Trump as the first U.S. president to be invited for two state visits, having previously been hosted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2019 during his last term. Britain aims to keep the so-called special relationship alive through this visit.
The UK government has been openly eager to maintain a good relationship with Trump, whose mother was Scottish and who owns several golf courses in Britain.
Security for the visit is intense, and the public will be kept at a distance, with the event happening behind closed doors. A sizable protest is planned in London on Wednesday, and some demonstrators projected images of Trump and Jeffrey Epstein onto Windsor Castle’s towers late Tuesday.
The Epstein scandal has cast a shadow over Trump for weeks, especially after his administration blocked the release of files related to Epstein. British Prime Minister Starmer also faced controversy when he dismissed his ambassador to Washington over emails linked to Epstein.
Despite the unpredictability of Trump’s positions on tariffs, Ukraine, and Gaza, the British government hopes the scale of the visit will help smooth the relationship.
On Wednesday in Windsor, Trump will enjoy a ceremonial carriage ride and a flyover by UK and U.S. jets, which officials say is the largest military display for a state visit in recent memory. That evening, King Charles will host a lavish state dinner where both will give speeches.
The royal visit could also provide Trump a break from recent turbulent events at home, including the turmoil following the killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.
On Thursday, the focus shifts to talks at Prime Minister Starmer’s country residence, Chequers, centered on trade and conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
The visit aligns with announcements of new investments, such as Microsoft’s pledge to invest $30 billion in Britain over four years.
Starmer is eager for the visit to go well after recent internal party struggles, including questions over his leadership following Peter Mandelson’s resignation.
Downing Street predicts the trip will elevate the longstanding friendship between the two nations.
Experts like Evie Aspinall of the British Foreign Policy Group see this as a major moment for both leaders. She explains, “For Trump, it’s a chance to indulge in the pomp and ceremony he loves. For Starmer, it’s an opportunity to shift focus from domestic issues to international diplomacy where he’s had more success.”
Add us on ChatGPT
Add us on Perplexity
