President Donald Trump’s second state visit to the United Kingdom began Wednesday with a day of military pageantry, royal meetings, hopeful trade discussions and public demonstrations. The visit included formal ceremonies at Windsor Castle with events highlighting the long history of U.S.–U.K. relations, all while protests unfolded in central London, about 25 miles from Windsor.
Britain staged one of its largest military ceremonies for a visiting leader
Trump’s arrival at Windsor Castle featured one of the most elaborate ceremonies ever held for a foreign leader. According to NBC News, more than 1,300 personnel and 120 horses participated, accompanied by a 41-gun salute from the castle’s East Lawn, while a simultaneous volley echoed from the Tower of London, roughly 20 miles away.
The Royal Air Force’s Red Arrows concluded the ceremony with a flypast trailing red, white and blue smoke, although a planned F-35 display was canceled due to weather.
Trump emphasized his personal friendship with King Charles and Queen Camilla
Before leaving for his U.K. visit, Trump highlighted his long-standing ties to the royal family. “It’s to be with (King) Charles and Camilla, they’re friends of mine for a long time, long before he was king,” Trump said, adding that he considered it “an honor to have him as king” and praising him for representing Britain “so well,” as the Deseret News previously reported.
Trump spent much of the visit with King Charles III and Queen Camilla. During the arrival ceremony, Charles and Trump inspected the troops side by side, chatting and sharing jokes with officers, per AFP White House correspondent Danny Kemp.
The president also met Prince William and Princess Catherine, with reports describing the encounters as cordial and friendly.
Trade talks were on the agenda — but not the centerpiece
Although the trip so far has been largely centered on ceremony, Trump said he intended to “refine” a trade deal with the United Kingdom and emphasized that he was “into helping” the country, as previously reported by th Deseret News.
Officials noted that discussions on trade and policy took place alongside the formal program, which included a private luncheon and a state banquet.
Protests contrast ceremonies in Trump’s visit to the U.K.
While Windsor showcased pageantry, central London saw a stark contrast of thousands gathered to protest. The demonstrations were organized by the Stop Trump Coalition, alongside other groups.
Demonstrators carried signs and called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to take a firm stance against Trump. Shaista Aziz, one of the organizers, told NBC News, “Trump is not welcome in the U.K., and Trumpism is not welcome either.” She said the protests were meant to challenge what she described as “politics of bigotry and hate.”
The program balanced pomp with moments of reflection/ symbolism framed the visit
Trump and first lady Melania Trump laid a wreath at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II, who hosted him during his first state visit in 2019.
Trump and the first lady joined Charles and Camilla in touring a Royal Collection display. Artifacts showcased centuries of U.S.-British ties, including documents from the American Revolution, early transatlantic communications and a 1930s hot dog picnic that Queen Elizabeth II once wrote about, per ABC News.
Still to come is a lavish state banquet, at which both the king and president will deliver speeches, per BBC.