UK Hosts Trump’s Historic Second State Visit with Grand Royal Welcome, Trade and Tech Deals on Agenda
U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Britain on Wednesday for his unprecedented second state visit, greeted with extraordinary pomp at Windsor Castle, even as questions about his past ties and political protests loomed.
King Charles III and the royal family rolled out a red-carpet welcome that included a carriage procession, gun salutes, a military flypast, and a lavish banquet — the largest ceremonial state welcome in recent memory. Trump, an avowed admirer of the British royals, expressed delight, calling the UK “a very special place” on his arrival.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is looking to leverage the visit to strengthen the UK-US “special relationship,” deepen economic ties, and secure billions in investment. Microsoft has already pledged £31 billion ($42 billion) in new UK technology investments under a fresh pact covering AI, quantum computing, and nuclear energy. Trade talks will also take center stage, with both sides hinting at refinements to an existing deal.
Despite the grandeur, Trump’s arrival was not without controversy. Protests erupted in Windsor, with activists projecting images linking Trump to Jeffrey Epstein onto a castle tower. Police made four arrests for what they described as an “unauthorised stunt.”
The royal pageantry continues with a carriage procession hosted by Charles and Queen Camilla, as well as a wreath-laying ceremony by Trump at Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb. A state banquet will cap the day, with speeches by both the king and the president.
Historians note the contrasting worldviews of Trump and Charles — from climate advocacy to religious harmony — yet the king is expected to handle the occasion with professionalism. Analysts suggest the visit may mark one of the most consequential events in Charles’s reign if successful.
On Thursday, attention will shift to geopolitics, with discussions at the PM’s Chequers country residence, where global security, Ukraine, and tariffs are expected to dominate.
