Trump at Windsor: A Second Audience with the Crown

Donald Trump’s second state visit to Britain opened with the full force of royal ceremony. Hosted by King Charles III, the three-day trip made history as the first time an American president has been welcomed with a second state visit, a rare moment in royal protocol.

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The pageantry began at Windsor Castle, where the King and Queen received the President and First Lady Melania Trump with military honours. A carriage procession carried the couple through the castle grounds, flanked by cheering crowds and guards in scarlet tunics and bearskin hats. That evening, St George’s Hall set the stage for a formal banquet, where royals and dignitaries gathered beneath vaulted ceilings and golden detail.

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A solemn highlight followed at St George’s Chapel. There, Trump laid a wreath at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II, honouring the late monarch who had first received him in 2019. The chapel, a backdrop for royal weddings and funerals, once again marked a defining moment in Britain’s story.

Photo: @princeandprincessofwales-Instagram

The royal presence extended beyond Windsor. Side by side with Trump, the King and Queen observed an RAF flypast that brought together Britain’s Red Arrows and American F-35 jets, a rare joint display underscoring military ties between the two allies.

Photo: @princeandprincessofwales-Instagram

For the monarchy, the visit was more than pageantry. State visits are among its most visible duties, showcasing continuity while strengthening international bonds. Extending a second invitation to a sitting American president underlined the depth of Britain’s relationship with the United States.

Beyond politics, the visit belonged to the royals. From the grandeur of banqueting halls to the quiet reverence of St George’s Chapel, Trump’s return placed the Crown at the heart of a moment that bound together ceremony, diplomacy and remembrance.