US President Donald Trump will arrive in Britain this week for an unprecedented second UK state visit, hosted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle. The three-day trip, running from Tuesday 16 September to Thursday 18 September 2025, marks a historic exception to royal tradition, as US presidents serving a second term are not typically offered full state visits.
Trump, who previously visited in 2019 as a guest of the late Queen Elizabeth II, called the invitation a “great, great honour” after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer personally delivered it earlier this year during White House trade talks.
What is a State Visit?
A state visit is the highest form of ceremonial welcome Britain offers a foreign head of state. It combines royal pageantry with diplomatic meetings designed to strengthen bilateral ties.
Trump’s Itinerary
- Tuesday, 16 September: The Trumps will arrive in London and be received by US Ambassador Warren Stephens and Viscount Hood, Lord-in-Waiting.
- Wednesday, 17 September: Trump and the First Lady will travel to Windsor Castle, where they will be welcomed by the Prince and Princess of Wales before a formal ceremony with King Charles and Queen Camilla.
- A royal salute will be fired in Windsor and at the Tower of London.
- Trump will lay a wreath at Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb in St George’s Chapel.
- A flypast featuring UK and US F-35 jets and the Red Arrows will take place.
- In the evening, a state banquet will be held at Windsor, with speeches by both Trump and the King.
- Thursday, 18 September: Trump will meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, where they will view the Winston Churchill archives before holding a joint press conference.
- Melania Trump will remain at Windsor for a private programme, including a tour of the Royal Library and Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, before later joining her husband.
Security and Logistics
The president will travel with a full motorcade, including the armored limousine “The Beast”, backed by extensive security from US and UK forces. During his 2019 visit, more than 6,300 police officers were deployed at a cost of £3.4 million. Similar measures — including airspace restrictions — are expected this time.
Protests Planned
The Stop Trump coalition has announced demonstrations under the slogan “Trump Not Welcome” in London on 17 September. The group accuses the US president of denying climate science and supporting war criminals. Protests are also expected in Windsor and across Scotland, where Trump owns golf resorts.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has already pledged to boycott the Windsor state banquet, citing Trump’s stance on Gaza.
Royal Context
Since ascending the throne in 2022, King Charles has hosted several state visits, including French President Emmanuel Macron in July 2025 and the Emir of Qatar in December 2024. Trump’s visit will be the first by a US president during Charles’s reign.
