Trump Honored at Windsor Castle Banquet Amid Royal Splendor/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Britain honored President Donald Trump with a lavish state banquet at Windsor Castle featuring royal pageantry, fine dining, and global business leaders. King Charles III and Trump toasted the enduring U.S.-U.K. alliance, emphasizing shared history and defense ties. Despite the grandeur, protests in London and questions about Jeffrey Epstein shadowed the visit.
Quick Look: Trump Windsor Banquet Highlights
- Lavish banquet at Windsor Castle: 160 guests, 1,462 silver pieces, 139 candles.
- Royal speeches: King Charles reaffirmed “special relationship”; Trump called visit “highest honor.”
- Guest list: Tech leaders including Tim Cook, Sam Altman, Jensen Huang, Rupert Murdoch.
- Menu & wines: Panna cotta starter, chicken ballotine, vintage ports and cognac.
- Protests: Thousands marched in London against Trump’s visit.
- Politics: Epstein scandal and trade tensions linger in background.
Trump Honored at Windsor Castle Banquet Amid Royal Splendor and Political Tensions
Windsor, England — September 17, 2025 — Britain showcased its finest royal pageantry on Wednesday night as U.S. President Donald Trump was honored with a glittering state banquet at Windsor Castle, part of his historic second state visit to the United Kingdom.
The lavish evening brought together royalty, political leaders, and global business executives under the gilded ceilings of St. George’s Hall, even as Trump faced protests in London and lingering scrutiny tied to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
Royal Splendor Inside Windsor Castle
- Beefeaters in red uniforms and ruff collars lined the grand entrance.
- Guests dined at the Waterloo table, stretching nearly 52 yards, adorned with 1,462 pieces of silver and illuminated by 139 candles.
- Seasonal flowers handpicked from castle grounds infused the hall with an autumnal fragrance.
- 160 guests were served by about 100 staff members, ensuring precision service.
The night’s wine list highlighted vintages chosen with symbolic flair:
- Wiston Estate Cuvee 2016
- Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello 2000
- Pol Roger Extra Cuvee de Reserve 1998
- Domaine Bonneau de Martray Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2018
- Warre’s 1945 Vintage Port, honoring Trump’s birth year
- Hennessy 1912 Cognac, nodding to Trump’s mother’s birth year
Menu and Entertainment
The three-course banquet featured:
- Panna cotta with parmesan shortbread and quail egg salad
- Chicken ballotine wrapped in courgettes, thyme and savory jus
- Vanilla ice cream bombe with raspberry sorbet interior
A specially crafted cocktail, the Transatlantic Whisky Sour, paid tribute to U.S.-U.K. ties.
Music selections ranged from Rolling Stones classics to a James Bond medley, performed as dignitaries toasted friendship between the nations.
Speeches: A Bond “Tested Time and Again”
King Charles III’s Remarks
“Anchored by the deep friendship between our people, this relationship has made us safer and stronger through the generations,” Charles said. “As tyranny once again threatens Europe, we and our allies stand together in support of Ukraine to deter aggression and secure peace.”
The king reflected on the upcoming 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, wondering how “our forebears from 1776 would view this enduring friendship.”
President Trump’s Toast
Trump, visibly moved, called the Windsor Castle banquet “one of the highest honors of my life.”
He praised King Charles as “a very, very special man” and complimented the monarch’s family, noting:
- Prince William as a “remarkable son destined for success.”
- Princess Catherine as “radiant and healthy,” referencing her recovery from cancer.
Trump described U.S.-U.K. ties as “priceless and eternal,” rooted in shared culture, history, and language.
Guests of Influence
The guest list blended royalty, politics, and powerhouse business leaders:
- Apple CEO Tim Cook
- Sam Altman, OpenAI CEO
- Jensen Huang, NVIDIA CEO
- Stephen Schwarzman, Blackstone CEO
- Rupert Murdoch, media magnate
At the table:
- Trump sat between King Charles and Princess Catherine.
- Queen Camilla, Prince William, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent completed the top-tier seating arrangement.
Political Shadows
Despite the grandeur, the evening came amid turbulence:
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer had just fired U.K. Ambassador to Washington Peter Mandelson over ties to Epstein.
- Trump himself faced renewed questions on Epstein during press conferences earlier in the week.
- Thousands of protesters marched in London, chanting “No to Trump,” though the president’s itinerary largely avoided the capital.
Royal Procession
The evening began with a regal entrance:
- Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Princess Catherine paraded into the banquet hall.
- Melania wore a floor-length yellow gown, while Queen Camilla donned deep purple.
Outside Windsor: Protests in London
- Organizers estimated several thousand demonstrators in central London.
- Signs read: “No to racism, no to Trump.”
- Counter-protesters showed support with placards declaring, “We Love Trump.”
- London police deployed 1,600 officers to manage an estimated 50 activist groups spanning climate, anti-racism, and pro-Palestinian causes.
While smaller than the massive demonstrations during Trump’s 2019 visit, the protests reflected ongoing opposition to his leadership abroad.
Key Takeaways
- The banquet was historic, as no other U.S. president has received two state visits to Britain.
- Trump used the moment to underscore U.S.-U.K. unity, while Charles emphasized shared history and defense commitments.
- Behind the sparkle, tensions lingered: Epstein scandals, steel tariffs, and policy differences on Ukraine and Gaza.
- The next stage of Trump’s visit shifts to Chequers, where substantive talks with Starmer await.
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