The British royal family is preparing for Trump’s state visit to the UK, set for September 17–19. King Charles III will host the U.S. president and former First Lady Melania Trump at Windsor Castle.
This marks Trump’s second state visit to Britain. He previously visited in 2019, hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II. This second invitation makes Trump the only U.S. president to receive two state visits from British monarchs.
According to Buckingham Palace, Prince William and Kate Middleton will welcome the Trumps upon arrival. They will join King Charles and Queen Camilla for an official royal salute. Cannons will fire from the Tower of London and Windsor Castle’s east lawn.
Following the salute, the royal family will accompany the Trumps in a carriage procession through the Windsor estate. The group will then head to the castle for a formal lunch with as many senior royals as possible. Royal expert Ingrid Seward confirmed, “Most of the family will attend.”
Later that day, Trump will lay a wreath at Queen Elizabeth’s tomb inside St. George’s Chapel. A military flypast will follow, featuring U.K. and U.S. F-35 fighter jets and the Red Arrows display team.
The most glamorous moment of Trump’s state visit to the UK will be the state banquet. Roughly 150 guests will attend, selected for their cultural, economic, or diplomatic ties. Former royal chef Darren McGrady explained how menu planning works for such events.
He shared that the royal kitchen sends multiple menus to the monarch, who selects one. Teams from the Foreign Office and the royal household work together to identify food preferences and allergies.
While Queen Elizabeth preferred well-done beef and avoided garlic, King Charles favors cheese and organic produce. Dishes often highlight local ingredients such as wild mushrooms, Balmoral salmon, and Sandringham venison.
Although no American chef has been confirmed, the royal kitchen may adapt recipes to honor U.S. tastes. When French President Macron visited, the palace brought in a French chef. A similar collaboration could happen during Trump’s state visit to the UK.
Celebrity guests may also attend the banquet. In 2011, Tom Hanks joined President Obama at a similar event. Royal observers expect figures like Elton John or Mick Jagger to appear, continuing the tradition of high-profile entertainment.
Though the monarchy avoids political statements, the visit carries diplomatic weight. Seward called it “an important expression of soft power.” King Charles will maintain neutrality, but the ceremony helps strengthen U.S.-U.K. relations.
Trump’s admiration for the royal family is well-known. Seward said, “He flatters the royals,” noting that Queen Elizabeth found him amusing and engaging. That goodwill appears to continue into this new chapter under King Charles. As the world watches, Trump’s state visit to the UK promises tradition, diplomacy, and a touch of royal spectacle.
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