President Donald Trump arrived in the United Kingdom to a red carpet welcome, and is receiving the full royal treatment from King Charles III at Windsor Castle with military pageantry not seen for any other American president.
Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were welcomed on Wednesday morning with what the UK Ministry of Defence described as an “unprecedented” ceremonial welcome involving 1,300 members of the British military and 120 horses. The elaborate procession featured three separate military bands and riders on horseback as Trump arrived at Windsor Castle in a royal carriage.
The processional route was lined by 22 half-companies of personnel from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army and Royal Air Force, demonstrating the extraordinary lengths King Charles went to honor the American president.
“I hate to say it, but nobody does it like you people in terms of the pomp and ceremony,” Trump said during a July visit to Scotland, expressing his admiration for British royal protocol.
The carriage procession included multiple royal vehicles. Queen Camilla and First Lady Melania Trump rode in the Scottish State Coach, built around 1830, while Prince William and Princess Catherine followed in the Semi-State Landau alongside US Ambassador Warren Stephens and his wife Harriet.
Two additional Ascot Landau carriages carried US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Trump’s foreign envoy Steve Witkoff, and chief of staff Susie Wiles, along with other White House staff.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the visit as “historic” since presidents are typically only invited for tea with the British monarch during second visits to the United Kingdom during their term of office.
President Trump and Melania Trump received a welcome in the United Kingdom that even shocked the mainstream media.
Piers Morgan said he has never seen anything like it in his entire career covering the Royal Family.
A Fox News reporter even admitted that both Trump and Melania… pic.twitter.com/TCW2RwucRl
— Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) September 17, 2025
Trump’s respect for the British royal family has been well-documented throughout his political career. He previously stated that the monarchy is “a fantastic thing” that “holds your country together, largely.” The president has called King Charles a “great guy, great person” and expressed excitement about being hosted at Windsor Castle.
“I don’t want to say one is better than the other, but they say Windsor Castle is the ultimate,” Trump said before departing for the UK.
The visit includes an elaborate exchange of gifts between the royal family and the Trumps. Trump will present King Charles with a replica of a President Eisenhower sword, symbolizing “profound respect” and serving as “a reminder of the historical partnership” that was crucial to victory in World War II.
The Trumps will also give Queen Camilla a vintage 18K gold, diamond, and ruby flower brooch from American jeweler Tiffany & Co. The gift represents a thoughtful nod to the Queen’s birthstone of rubies and the First Lady’s birthstone of diamonds.
King Charles and Queen Camilla have prepared their own gifts for the American couple. Trump will receive a bespoke, hand-bound leather volume crafted by the Royal Bindery at Windsor Castle to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The president will also be given the Union Flag that was flying over Buckingham Palace when he was inaugurated for his second term on January 20.
Melania Trump will receive a silver and enamel bowl and a personalized Anya Hindmarch handbag, along with a silver photo frame engraved with the King and Queen’s joint cypher.
Wednesday’s schedule included a royal salute at Windsor Castle, a flypast from the Red Arrows aerobatic team, lunch with the extended royal family, and a wreath-laying ceremony at Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb in St George’s Chapel. The day culminated with a formal state banquet at the castle, where Trump served as the guest of honor.
“I’m a big fan of King Charles. I’ve known him for quite a while,” Trump said. Their relationship that dates back to 1988 when the then-Prince of Wales visited Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
The visit comes at a crucial time for US-UK relations, with both countries planning to announce deals on technology, trade, and nuclear energy. British leaders hope to finalize an agreement on metal tariffs and discuss ongoing support for Ukraine in its war with Russia.
Thursday’s agenda includes a meeting between Trump and Prime Minister Starmer at Chequers, the prime minister’s country residence in Buckinghamshire. The leaders will view the Winston Churchill archives before their meeting and hold a joint news conference.
First Lady Melania Trump will join Queen Camilla for a tour of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House and the Royal Library at Windsor Castle, followed by a scouting event on the castle’s grounds with Princess Catherine, who serves as joint president of The Scout Association.
The visit has not been without controversy. Planned protests in London and Windsor are expected throughout Trump’s stay, with the Stop Trump Coalition organizing a “Trump Not Welcome” demonstration. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey announced he would boycott the state banquet in protest of Trump’s policies regarding Gaza.
The visit also comes amid political turmoil for the British government. Prime Minister Starmer is facing plummeting approval ratings and the nation recently dismissed their Ambassador to the US, Peter Mandelson, following revelations about his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Still, Trump’s second state visit represents a unique honor in Anglo-American diplomatic history and showcases King Charles III’s commitment to maintaining strong ties with the United States during a period of global uncertainty.