King Charles Welcomes US President at Windsor Castle Amid Trade Talks and Major US Investments in AI
United States President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived in London on Tuesday evening for a historic second State Visit to the United Kingdom, at the invitation of King Charles III. This marks the first time a sitting US President has been honored with two State Visits to the UK.
Grand Reception at Stansted Airport
- Air Force One landed at Stansted Airport, where the Trumps were welcomed by:
- US Ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens
- Viscount Henry Hood, the King’s Lord-in-Waiting
President Trump praised King Charles, saying:
“He’s a friend of mine for a long time, long before he was King. I think he represents the country so well—such an elegant gentleman.”
Ceremonial Welcome at Windsor Castle
On Wednesday morning, the President and First Lady will be officially received at Windsor Castle by:
- Prince William and Princess Kate
- King Charles III and Queen Camilla
Key Ceremonial Events:
- Royal Salute fired from both Windsor Castle and the Tower of London
- Gilded carriage procession through the Windsor estate, escorted by the Household Cavalry
- A Guard of Honour featuring the State Colours of the Grenadier, Coldstream, and Scots Guards — an unprecedented triple-colour display
- Massed Bands and Pipes and Drums performing the US and UK National Anthems
- Inspection of the Guard by President Trump, accompanied by the King
Inside Windsor: State Banquet, Royal Display, and Chapel Tribute
- State Lunch hosted by the King and Queen in the State Dining Room
- Viewing of a special Royal Collection exhibit on US-UK historical relations
- Private wreath-laying at St. George’s Chapel, honoring the late Queen Elizabeth II
- Musical performance by the Chapel Choir
In the evening, the State Banquet will serve as the highlight of the visit, with formal speeches by both President Trump and King Charles III, reinforcing the strength of the US-UK alliance.
Flypast and Beating Retreat Ceremony
Weather permitting, a joint flypast by:
- UK and US F-35 fighter jets
- The Red Arrows
will follow a Beating Retreat ceremony on the East Lawn of Windsor Castle.
Day Two: Bilateral Talks and Economic Engagements
On Thursday, President Trump will:
- Bid a formal farewell to King Charles and Queen Camilla at Windsor
- Travel to Chequers, the countryside residence of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer
Scheduled Events:
- Guard of Honour reception at Chequers
- Bilateral trade talks to refine the existing UK-US trade agreement
- Tour of Sir Winston Churchill’s wartime archives
- Business reception hosted by Chancellor Rachel Reeves
- Joint press conference with PM Starmer
Massive US Investments Strengthen Economic Ties
The State Visit coincides with the announcement of major US-led investments:
- Google has pledged £5 billion to the UK’s AI sector, including a new data center in Hertfordshire
- UK officials confirmed £1.25 billion in US private investment into the UK’s financial services industry
“These investments reflect the strength of our enduring ‘golden corridor’ with one of our closest trading partners,” said UK Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle.
Protests & Unprecedented Security Measures
- Protests are scheduled in London and Windsor
- UK authorities have launched one of the largest security operations in recent history to safeguard the visit
