United States President Donald Trump is set to make a state visit to the United Kingdom from 16 to 18 September 2025, where he will be hosted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle. The First Lady, Melania Trump, will accompany him.
This marks Trump’s second state visit to the UK, following his first in June 2019 during his initial presidency, when he was received by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has described the upcoming visit as historic and unprecedented, noting that it is unusual for a sitting US president to receive a second state invitation. Traditionally, returning American presidents are invited for a private audience with the monarch rather than full state honours.
The Trumps will arrive in the UK on 16 September and be formally received by US Ambassador Warren Stephens and Lord-in-waiting Henry Hood, 8th Viscount Hood, who will represent the King.
On 17 September, the President and First Lady will be welcomed at Windsor Castle by William, Prince of Wales, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, before an official greeting from King Charles III and Queen Camilla. A royal salute will be fired at both Windsor and the Tower of London, accompanied by a fly past by the Red Arrows and F-35 fighter jets.
Later in the day, President Trump is expected to lay a wreath at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II at St George’s Chapel. In the evening, a state banquet will be held in St George’s Hall, with speeches from both the King and the President.
The final day of the visit, 18 September, will see Trump travel to Chequers, the country residence of the Prime Minister, for bilateral talks with Starmer. The two leaders are scheduled to tour the Winston Churchill archives before holding a joint press conference.
Meanwhile, Melania Trump will remain at Windsor, where she will tour the Royal Library and Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House. She will also join Catherine, Princess of Wales, in meeting Chief Scout Dwayne Fields as part of the Scout Association programme.
The visit has already sparked opposition. The Stop Trump Coalition has announced plans for a large demonstration in London on 17 September under the banner “Trump Not Welcome”. The group has accused Trump of denying climate science and siding with war criminals in Israel, Russia and beyond. They have urged the British government to withdraw the invitation.
Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, has said he will boycott the Windsor banquet in protest against Trump’s stance on Gaza. “Trump has the power to stop the horrifying starvation and death in Gaza and get the hostages released,” Davey said, citing Trump’s influence over Israel, Qatar and Gulf states.
The Fire Brigades Union has also voiced concern, warning that Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service may be forced to reduce county coverage to provide security support at Chequers during Trump’s visit there.
Trump’s return to the UK under state honors is being closely watched by diplomats and analysts. His first state visit in 2019 was marked by both pageantry and controversy, with mass protests in London and public divisions among British political leaders.
This year’s visit comes early in Trump’s second presidential term and is expected to highlight the nature of the relationship between London and Washington.
