LONDON — U.S. President Donald Trump has arrived in the United Kingdom for an unprecedented second state visit, an honor never before extended to a foreign leader. The three-day trip, which began this evening, aims to reinforce the “special relationship” between the two nations, a key objective for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The visit comes at a sensitive time for both countries. Just last week, UK Ambassador to the U.S., Peter Mandelson, was sacked over emails linking him to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a scandal that has also put pressure on Trump due to his own past connections. Protests organized by the Stop Trump Coalition are expected to take place in both Windsor and London, mirroring the large-scale demonstrations during his 2019 visit.
A Royal Welcome at Windsor
Much of President Trump’s visit will be spent at Windsor Castle, as Buckingham Palace is currently undergoing renovations. The itinerary is packed with high-level ceremonial engagements designed to showcase the enduring bond between the UK and U.S.
- Wednesday: President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will receive a formal ceremonial welcome. The day includes a royal salute and a lavish state banquet hosted by King Charles III. Trump will also lay a wreath at the tomb of the late Queen Elizabeth II at St. George’s Chapel. A flypast featuring UK and U.S. F-35 fighter jets and the Red Arrows will also take place.
- Thursday: The visit shifts to the political sphere as Trump heads to Chequers, the Prime Minister’s country retreat. Prime Minister Starmer will host Trump for a bilateral meeting to discuss trade, technology, and international affairs. A joint press conference is also scheduled. The meeting is a crucial opportunity for Starmer to solidify his relationship with Trump and advance key policy agendas.
Diplomatic and Political Implications
The decision to grant a second state visit is a significant diplomatic move by the Starmer government. The Prime Minister, who has made concerted efforts to build a close relationship with Trump since taking office, extended the invitation from King Charles III during a meeting at the White House in February. Starmer’s strategy has been to “flatter Trump” to secure favorable outcomes, such as a new trade and technology partnership, which has already seen key elements take effect.
Unlike his predecessors, Trump will not address Parliament, which is in recess, a decision that conveniently avoids a potentially awkward situation given the divided political opinions on the U.S. President. The carefully curated itinerary, which keeps Trump away from central London for much of the trip, is also seen as a move to mitigate the impact of the planned protests.
The visit’s success will be measured by its ability to strengthen the “special relationship” and move forward on shared goals, particularly in areas like a new US-UK technology partnership and cooperation on nuclear energy, even as tensions remain on global issues like the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
