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- The British royal family pulled out all the stops for Donald Trump’s second state visit to the UK.
- King Charles III and Queen Camilla hosted the president and first lady at Windsor Castle.
- Their visit included carriage rides, a military jet flyover, and a state dinner.
The British royal family pulled out all the stops for President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump’s second state visit to the UK.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla hosted the president and first lady at Windsor Castle, where they were treated to royal carriage rides, military jet flyovers, and a state dinner brimming with tech CEOs. Prince William and Kate Middleton also joined the Trumps during their visit.
Trump’s first state visit to the UK occurred during his first term in 2019. US presidents serving a second term aren’t usually invited for another state visit, but Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivered a surprise invitation during a White House visit in February in an apparent effort to remind Trump of the “special relationship” between the two countries amid his implementation of global tariffs.
Here’s a breakdown of all of the pomp and circumstance.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrived in the UK on Tuesday evening.
Viscount Henry Hood greeted the president and first lady at Stansted Airport as they disembarked from Air Force One.
On Wednesday, the Prince and Princess of Wales greeted Donald Trump and Melania Trump at Windsor Castle.
The president and first lady flew to Windsor Castle on Marine One, the presidential helicopter.
Donald Trump and King Charles shared a horse-drawn carriage ride in the royal family’s gilded Irish State Coach.
The British monarch traditionally travels in the Irish State Coach from Buckingham Palace to the State Opening of Parliament, according to the Royal Collection Trust.
Melania Trump and Camilla rode together in the Scottish State Coach.
The royal family welcomed the president and first lady to Windsor Castle with a ceremony held in the Quadrangle.
The assembled Guard of Honor featured troops from three of the country’s oldest regiments: Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, and Scots Guards.
The regimental bands played both the American and British national anthems.
As the US national anthem played, Donald Trump held a salute, while Melania Trump placed her hand over her heart.
The two couples dressed in similar shades of blue and gray. Melania Trump wore a Dior skirt suit with a purple hat, which Donald Trump matched with a purple tie. Charles wore a navy suit, while Camilla opted for a royal blue dress and hat.
Charles and Donald Trump inspected the troops assembled on the grounds of the castle.
Charles gestured for Donald Trump to walk ahead of him while inspecting the Honor Guard.
During the president’s first state visit in 2019, he walked in front of Queen Elizabeth II without being beckoned to, which some viewed as a breach of royal protocol.
In Windsor Castle’s Green Drawing Room, Charles and Camilla showed the Trumps items on display from the Royal Collection.
After a private luncheon, the four leaders viewed artifacts related to the historical relationship between the US and the UK.
Among the items on display were a first edition of John Smith’s “The Generall Historie of Virginia” detailing his encounters with Pocahontas, a letter written by King George III mentioning the Boston Tea Party and the rebellion in the colonies in 1774, and a ticker-tape message that Queen Victoria sent to President James Buchanan in 1858.
The president and first lady toured St George’s Chapel and laid a wreath at Queen Elizabeth’s tomb.
They were also treated to a performance of the first movement of Vivaldi’s “Gloria” by the church choir.
The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team put on a show of red, white, and blue streaks in a ceremonial flyover.
The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team flew in Hawk T1 jets.
British and American F-35 fighter jets were also supposed to soar over Windsor Castle, but their flights were canceled due to the weather conditions.
The day ended with a state banquet held at St George’s Hall.
Melania Trump wore a yellow Carolina Herrera gown with a light purple belt, while Camilla wore a royal blue dress by Fiona Clare. Donald Trump and Charles both wore white-tie tuxedos.
William and Kate also attended the state banquet, along with Tiffany Trump and her husband, Michael Boulos.
Kate’s gold Chantilly lace gown was designed by Phillipa Lepley. Kate also wore Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot tiara.
Tiffany Trump wore a navy off-the-shoulder gown. Both Boulos and William wore tuxedos.
Other notable guests at the state banquet included Tim Cook, Rupert Murdoch, and Sam Altman.
St George’s Hall gleamed with gold cutlery, crystal goblets, and ornate flower arrangements.
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