Donald Trump’s UK State Visit is Next Week – This is What We Know/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ US President Donald Trump will make an unprecedented second state visit to the UK from 16–18 September. He will meet King Charles at Windsor Castle, attend a state banquet, and hold talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Protests are planned in London as the controversial visit unfolds.
Donald Trump UK State Visit Quick Looks
- Dates: September 16–18, 2025
- Venues: Windsor Castle, Chequers
- Royal Engagements: King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince and Princess of Wales
- Events: Wreath at Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb, military flypast, state banquet, Churchill archive viewing
- Melania Trump’s Agenda: Royal Library, Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, Scout Association visit
- Security: Motorcade with “The Beast,” major police deployment expected
- Protests: Stop Trump coalition planning mass demonstration in London
- Political Context: Invite seen as historic and unusual for a second-term US president
Donald Trump’s UK State Visit is Next Week – This is What We Know
Deep Look
US President Donald Trump is preparing for an unprecedented second UK state visit next week, where he and First Lady Melania Trump will be hosted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle. The visit, set for 16–18 September 2025, defies tradition, as second-term US presidents are typically not granted such honors.
The invitation, extended personally by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on behalf of the monarch during a White House visit earlier this year, was described as “historic” and “unprecedented.” Trump called it a “great, great honour.”
Ceremonial Program
Upon arrival, the Trumps will be welcomed by US Ambassador Warren Stephens and the Viscount Hood. On Wednesday, September 17, the couple will travel to Windsor Castle, greeted formally by the King and Queen alongside the Prince and Princess of Wales. Ceremonial salutes will be fired both in Windsor and at the Tower of London.
Trump will lay a wreath at St George’s Chapel on the tomb of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Later that day, spectators will witness a flypast by UK and US F-35 jets and the Red Arrows.
The highlight of the day will be the state banquet at Windsor Castle, featuring speeches from both King Charles and President Trump.
Political Engagements
On Thursday, September 18, Trump will head to Chequers, the prime minister’s country retreat, for talks with Starmer. The two leaders will view the Sir Winston Churchill archives before holding a joint press conference.
Meanwhile, Melania Trump will tour the Royal Library, admire Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, and meet Chief Scout Dwayne Fields with Catherine, Princess of Wales, before rejoining her husband.
Security and Logistics
Trump is expected to arrive aboard Air Force One, with his signature motorcade including “The Beast” and support vehicles flown in separately. In 2019, his first state visit required more than 6,300 police officers at a cost of £3.4m, and a similar scale of security is expected this time.
Anticipated Protests
Opposition to the visit is mounting. The Stop Trump coalition has organized a “Trump Not Welcome” protest in London on September 17, accusing him of “denying climate science” and “siding with war criminals.” Similar demonstrations disrupted his recent trip to Scotland, where he was booed at his Turnberry golf course.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has announced he will boycott the state banquet in protest against Trump’s policies and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Broader Royal Context
Since King Charles ascended the throne in 2022, he has hosted multiple state visits, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. His hosting of Trump highlights both the diplomatic importance of UK-US ties and the controversy surrounding the American president.
As preparations intensify, Windsor and Chequers brace for a historic, politically charged, and closely scrutinized visit.
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