Donald Trump will make an unprecedented second state visit to the UK in September, with King Charles and Queen Camilla hosting the US president at Windsor Castle. The visit from 17 to 19 September marks the first time an American leader has been granted two state visits to Britain.
Trump will be accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump during the three-day visit, Buckingham Palace confirmed. The president previously enjoyed a state visit in 2019, when he was hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Parliament in recess during visit
The timing means Trump will not address Parliament, as the House of Commons will be in recess for party conference season. However, the House of Lords will be sitting during his visit, unlike the French President Emmanuel Macron who addressed Parliament during his state visit this week.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer personally delivered the King's invitation to Trump during a February meeting at the White House. As the pair sat in the Oval Office, Starmer handed over the personal letter from Charles, later describing the moment as "truly historic and unprecedented".
King's original Scotland suggestion
After reading the invitation, Trump called it a "great, great honour", adding "and that says at Windsor - that's really something". In his letter, Charles had suggested they might first meet at Balmoral or Dumfries House in Scotland before the formal state visit.
However, logistical challenges and diary complexities for both the King and Trump meant a private summer meeting proved impossible. All options were explored, but the informal visit could not be arranged.
Police Scotland prepares for costs
Police Scotland has warned that policing Trump's visit will cost "considerable" resources, with the force seeking extra funding. A senior officer confirmed the force is in early planning stages for a visit at the end of this month, likely involving Trump's golf clubs in Aberdeenshire and Ayrshire.
The visit would require substantial policing resources and probably units called in from elsewhere in the UK. Precedent for second-term US presidents who have already made state visits is usually tea or lunch with the monarch at Windsor Castle, as happened with George W Bush and Barack Obama.
Recent royal correspondence
News of the September visit comes days after Charles wrote to Trump expressing "profound sadness" following catastrophic flooding that killed nearly 90 people in Texas. The King offered his "deepest sympathy" to those who lost loved ones over the July Fourth weekend, the British Embassy in Washington said.
In March, Trump sent the King his "best wishes" and "good health" during a phone call with Starmer after Charles spent time in hospital experiencing temporary side effects from his cancer treatment. The September state visit follows Charles's May visit to Canada, where he opened the nation's parliament.
French president's recent visit
This week, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte completed their three-day state visit hosted by the King and Queen. Macron's itinerary included a glittering state banquet at Windsor Castle, a carriage ride through the historic Berkshire town and a ceremonial welcome.
The state dinner was attended by the Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Prime Minister and senior members of the Cabinet. Many Canadians saw the King's earlier visit to Ottawa as a symbol of support for the country that has faced unwanted attention from Trump's trade war threats and annexation comments.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
