Donald Trump received a grand royal welcome at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, where King Charles III hosted him in true British pageantry.
The visit, Trump’s second state trip to the UK, began with full ceremony—gun salutes, mounted cavalry, bagpipes, and hundreds of soldiers in striking red tunics and gleaming helmets. The atmosphere was one of spectacle, seemingly tailored to the former president’s well-known fondness for pomp.
Trump and the king shared lighthearted moments as they inspected the troops. Around 1,300 members of the armed forces and 120 horses were on display, in what officials described as the largest ceremonial welcome for any state visitor in decades.
Prince William and Catherine joined the greetings, walking Trump and First Lady Melania across the castle grounds to meet Charles and Queen Camilla. The arrival was marked with a 41-gun salute, echoed simultaneously at the Tower of London.
The day continued with a carriage procession through the Windsor estate, followed by a formal lunch inside the historic castle. Trump saluted during the playing of the U.S. anthem, exchanging smiles with Charles before the group moved indoors.
A carefully staged spectacle
The event was staged with meticulous detail, though far from the public eye. While Britain rolled out its most dazzling traditions, the visit unfolded behind barriers and away from protesters who had gathered elsewhere.
Trump holds the distinction of being the first American president to receive two state visits to the UK, the first being in 2019 with Queen Elizabeth II. This trip also carries another milestone: a joint flypast featuring U.S. and UK fighter jets, including the F-35s and the Royal Air Force’s Red Arrows.
Later in the day, the Trumps were scheduled to lay a wreath on Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb, before closing with a state banquet where Trump and Charles were expected to give speeches.
Personal touches and political shadows
For Trump, the visit had sentimental undertones. His mother was Scottish, and he owns two golf resorts in the country. Calling Charles “my friend,” he seemed buoyed by the royal reception, even as controversies trailed him across the Atlantic.
Protests broke through the tight security bubble when activists projected images of Trump alongside Jeffrey Epstein onto the walls of Windsor Castle. Police made several arrests, and larger demonstrations were expected in London.
At home, Trump continues to face political turbulence, including unrest following the killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. Across the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has his own challenges, including the fallout from the dismissal of his Washington ambassador over ties to Epstein.
The two leaders are set to meet again Thursday at Chequers, the prime minister’s country residence, with discussions likely to span trade, security, and international crises. Pharmaceutical giant GSK added a hopeful note to the agenda, announcing a planned $30 billion investment in the U.S. over the next five years.
