President Donald Trump is making history during his current UK state visit, becoming the first elected political leader in modern times to receive two royal state visits from a British monarch.
The unprecedented visit began on 17th September 2025 with full royal pageantry at Windsor Castle, where King Charles III welcomed Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for what the President called “one of the highest honors of my life.”
Royal Welcome and Windsor Castle Ceremonies
The Trump UK visit commenced with elaborate ceremonial traditions, including a horse-drawn carriage procession through Windsor Castle grounds, military honor guards, and a 41-gun salute. The day’s events showcased the full weight of British royal protocol.
The grandest of welcomes, for the closest of allies. 🇬🇧 🇺🇸
The UK Armed Forces uphold their reputation for world-class ceremonial as 1,300 personnel take part in a grand state welcome for US President Donald J. Trump.💂
The scale and spectacle of the ceremonial is unprecedented… pic.twitter.com/NWUIkJpnik
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) September 17, 2025
The ceremonial highlights included:
- A Guard of Honour featuring 1,300 military personnel and 120 horses
- Musical performances by three military bands playing both nations’ anthems
- A rare Beating the Retreat ceremony with 200+ military personnel
- A spectacular Red Arrows flypast with red, white and blue contrails
State Banquet and Diplomatic Exchanges
The royal reception culminated in a lavish state banquet in Windsor Castle’s St. George’s Hall. Trump praised the royal family during his toast, calling the visit “truly one of the highest honors of my life” and emphasizing the “special relationship” between the US and UK.
High-profile guests at the intimate 160-person banquet included:
- Apple CEO Tim Cook
- NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang
- OpenAI CEO Sam Altman
- Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman
- Media mogul Rupert Murdoch
King Charles focused his speech on the historic partnership between the two nations, reflecting on how far both countries have come since 1776.
Widespread Protests Challenge Royal Pageantry
While Trump enjoyed royal hospitality inside Windsor Castle, the Trump UK visit faced significant opposition from British protesters. Hundreds gathered outside Windsor Castle despite government efforts to keep demonstrations away from the President.
Controversial Projections and Arrests
Four people were arrested after activist group “Led by Donkeys” projected images of Trump with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein onto Windsor Castle’s walls. The projections appeared just minutes after Trump’s arrival in the UK.
Brits gave donald and melania trump a beautiful art display on Windsor Castle as they touched down in the UK. pic.twitter.com/EC4v7WBalA
— Covie (@covie_93) September 16, 2025
London Demonstrations
Several thousand protesters marched through central London carrying banners reading “No to racism, no to Trump” and “Dump Trump“. The demonstrations, organized by the Stop Trump Coalition, included approximately 50 different activist groups.
London’s Metropolitan Police deployed 1,600 officers to manage the protests, which were significantly smaller than the estimated 100,000+ who protested Trump’s first UK visit in 2019.
Protesters included climate activists, anti-racism campaigners, and pro-Palestinian groups. Many carried miniature versions of the famous “Trump baby blimp” that became iconic during his previous visit
THIS IS THE CROWD THAT HAS KEPT TRUMP OUT OF LONDON pic.twitter.com/7lBUuqZ0SD
— Stop Trump (@UKStopTrump) September 17, 2025
Strategic Location Choices Minimize Protest Impact
British officials deliberately scheduled the Trump UK visit away from central London to minimize protest exposure. The carriage procession at Windsor Castle notably excluded public onlookers, an intentional move to keep the thousands protesting in London out of Trump’s view.
Today’s events almost entirely avoid the capital, with main activities at Windsor Castle and tomorrow’s meetings planned at Chequers, the Prime Minister’s country estate about 20 miles west of London.
Tech Prosperity Deal and Economic Agenda
Beyond the ceremonial aspects, the Trump UK visit carries significant economic implications. Trump is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers on Thursday, where they’re expected to sign what the countries are calling a Tech Prosperity Deal.
The UK government announced that several US-based tech companies, including NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Google, will be investing more than $60 billion AUD in the UK.
The economic discussions represent broader efforts by the British government to strengthen trade relationships with the US, particularly in emerging technologies and digital sectors.
Ukraine Policy and International Relations
The visit occurs amid ongoing discussions about Russia-Ukraine policy, though there has been no movement on a peace deal since Starmer and other European leaders visited the White House earlier this year.
Recent statements from Trump suggest he expects NATO allies to first stop purchasing Russian oil before the US increases assistance to Ukraine.
Historical Significance and Royal Protocol
This Trump UK visit marks unprecedented territory, as Trump becomes the first elected political leader in modern times to be hosted for two state visits by a British monarch, having previously been hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2019.
The Trumps also paid respects at St. George’s Chapel, where they laid a wreath on Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb and met with children from the chapel choir.
Royal gifts exchanged during the visit included:
- A hand-bound leather volume celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence
- The Union flag that flew above Buckingham Palace on Trump’s inauguration day
- A replica President Eisenhower sword from Trump to King Charles
- A vintage Tiffany & Co. brooch for Queen Camilla
Public Opinion and Media Response
Recent polling shows 61% of Britons disapprove of Trump, according to an Ipsos poll published Tuesday. This sentiment was reflected in the various protest activities throughout the visit.
Channel 4 scheduled a five-hour “Trump v The Truth” broadcast Wednesday evening, displaying what they called an “unbroken catalogue” of Trump’s “untruths and falsehoods” since taking office.
Looking Ahead: Remaining Visit Schedule
The Trump UK visit continues through 19th September, with Thursday’s agenda focused on:
- Bilateral meetings with PM Keir Starmer at Chequers
- Viewing Winston Churchill archives
- Finalizing the Tech Prosperity Deal
- Private discussions on trade and security matters
The Trump UK visit continues through 19th September 2025, with further diplomatic meetings and economic discussions planned. The unprecedented nature of this second state visit underscores both the importance of US-UK relations and the continued controversy surrounding Trump’s presidency.
FAQs
Q: Why is Trump’s second UK state visit considered historic?
A: Trump is the first elected political leader in modern times to receive two state visits from a British monarch, having previously been hosted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2019.
Q: Where are the main events of Trump’s UK visit taking place?
A: The visit focuses on Windsor Castle and Chequers (the PM’s country residence), deliberately avoiding central London where protests are concentrated.
Q: What is the Tech Prosperity Deal?
A: It’s an agreement expected to bring over $60 billion AUD in US tech company investments to the UK, involving companies like NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Google.
Q: How do current protests compare to Trump’s 2019 visit?
A: Current protests involve several thousand people compared to the estimated 100,000+ who protested in 2019, though they’ve included more controversial tactics like projections onto Windsor Castle.
