By DANICA KIRKA and JILL LAWLESS, Related Press
WINDSOR, England (AP) — President Donald Trump basked in a British royal spectacle Wednesday, greeted by army honor guards and mounted troops in crimson and gold as King Charles III’s visitor at Windsor Citadel for the beginning of a state go to filled with pageantry and political dangers for the host nation.
Prince William and his spouse Catherine met Trump’s helicopter because it landed within the non-public Walled Backyard on the huge property, and so they walked the American president and first woman Melania Trump over to be greeted by the king and Queen Camilla.
The friends traveled to the fort in a procession of horse-drawn carriages, previous ranks of troopers, sailors and aviators, as army bands performed the U.S. and British nationwide anthems. The king and the Republican president chatted within the Irish State Coach through the brief journey to the fort quadrangle, the place Trump, accompanied by Charles, inspected an honor guard of troopers in crimson tunics and bearskin hats.
The day of pageantry, the spotlight of Trump’s second state go to to Britain, was on a scale designed to impress the grandeur-loving president and concerned some 120 horses and 1,300 troops, together with the biggest guard of honor in dwelling reminiscence.
It’s all meant to bolster ties with Trump at a time when his America First insurance policies are placing strain on commerce and safety preparations across the globe. British officers are additionally hoping to keep away from awkward questions on Jeffrey Epstein. Days earlier than the state go to, Prime Minister Keir Starmer fired Britain’s ambassador to the USA, Peter Mandelson, over the diplomat’s previous friendship with the convicted intercourse offender.
The backdrop for the primary of the 2 days Trump is spending in Britain is Windsor Citadel, an virtually 1,000-year-old royal residence with gilded interiors, crenelated towers and priceless artworks. A big royal commonplace, the flag used for official celebration days, flew from the fort’s Royal Tower.
President Donald Trump opinions the Guard of Honour after the arrival at Windsor Citadel in Windsor, England, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025.(AP Photograph/Kirsty Wigglesworth, Pool)
Britain’s Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales, left, obtain President Donald Trump and first woman Melania Trump at Windsor Citadel in Windsor, England, Wednesday Sept. 17, 2025. (Aaron Chown/Pool Photograph by way of AP)
Britain’s Queen Camilla and First woman Melania Trump sit in a carriage throughout a procession by means of Windsor Citadel, in Windsor, England, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (Toby Melville/Pool Photograph by way of AP)
Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla, proper, obtain President Donald Trump and first woman Melania Trump as Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales look on, as they arrive at Windsor Citadel in Windsor, England, Wednesday Sept. 17, 2025. (Aaron Chown/Pool Photograph by way of AP)
Britain’s King Charles III and President Donald Trump sit in a carriage throughout a procession by means of Windsor Citadel, in Windsor, England, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (Toby Melville/Pool Photograph by way of AP)
U.S. flag and Union flag are hanged exterior the Windsor Citadel forward of the state go to by U.S. President Donald Trump subsequent week in Windsor, England, Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. (AP Photograph/Kin Cheung)
From left, Britain’s Kate, Princess of Wales, Britain’s Prince William, President Donald Trump and first woman Melania Trump, Britain’s King Charles III and Britain’s Queen Camilla throughout an arrival ceremony at Windsor Citadel, in Windsor, England, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photograph/Evan Vucci)
President Donald Trump and Britain’s King Charles III examine the guard of honor throughout an arrival ceremony at Windsor Citadel, in Windsor, England, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photograph/Evan Vucci)
President Donald Trump and Britain’s King Charles III overview the Guard of Honour after the arrival at Windsor Citadel in Windsor, England, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025.(AP Photograph/Kirsty Wigglesworth, Pool)
President Donald Trump and Britain’s King Charles III overview the Guard of Honour after the arrival at Windsor Citadel in Windsor, England, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025.(AP Photograph/Kirsty Wigglesworth, Pool)
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President Donald Trump opinions the Guard of Honour after the arrival at Windsor Citadel in Windsor, England, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025.(AP Photograph/Kirsty Wigglesworth, Pool)
Increase
The prospect of a go to to the fort has appeared to enchant Trump, who ditched his trademark bluster and described the invitation as “a great, great honor.”
“I think that also is why he seems so visibly excited about the second meeting, because it isn’t an invitation given to (just) anyone,” mentioned George Gross, an professional on the British monarchy at King’s Faculty London.
From pomp to politics
Britain’s royals way back gave up political energy, however their historical past, custom and superstar give them a cachet which means presidents and prime ministers covet an invite to affix them. Invites handed out on the request of the elected authorities are a strong software to reward mates and wring concessions from reluctant allies.
No U.S. president, or every other world chief, has ever had the respect of a second U.Okay. state go to.
Trump plans talks Thursday with Starmer, who will promote a brand new U.Okay.-U.S. expertise deal. The British authorities hopes the deal, and billions in funding from U.S. tech firms, will assist present that the trans-Atlantic bond stays robust regardless of variations over Ukraine, the Center East and the way forward for NATO.
The Epstein scandal additionally continues to hold over the go to.
On Tuesday, the marketing campaign group Led By Donkeys projected a picture of Trump and Epstein on a tower at Windsor Citadel, a reminder of the president’s relationship with the late American financier. Police mentioned they arrested 4 individuals over the stunt.
State banquet
After a non-public lunch and a go to to an exhibit of paperwork and art work illustrating the ties between Britain and the U.S., will probably be time for a state banquet.
Tiaras and medals will probably be on show as as much as 160 friends collect round a 50-meter (165-foot) lengthy mahogany desk set with 200-year-old silver to honor the president. Charles will ship a speech, then the king and the president will provide toasts.
Trump won’t have the possibility to deal with a joint session of Parliament, as French President Emmanuel Macron did in July throughout his state go to. The Home of Commons is now in recess.
Safety from protests
Most state visits are staged in London, in opposition to the grand backdrop of Buckingham Palace and the broad, flag-lined boulevard often called The Mall. However this one is within the confines of Windsor, a historic city of simply over 30,000 individuals about 25 miles (40 kilometers) west of central London.
That makes it simpler to regulate protests and shield Trump at a time of elevated worldwide tensions, particularly after the deadly taking pictures of Trump ally Charlie Kirk final week in Utah. British police have undertaken an enormous safety operation to make sure Trump’s security.
When Trump was in London on his first state go to in 2019, he was met by 1000’s of protesters who crammed the streets exterior the Homes of Parliament as a balloon formed like an enormous, diaper-wearing child Trump floated overhead.
Historian Robert Lacey, a marketing consultant on the Netflix tv sequence “The Crown,” mentioned Windsor can be a extra “photogenic setting” for a state go to than London.
“Buckingham Palace has got its balcony, it’s got its façade,” he mentioned. However “inside it’s very dreary and it’s currently being renovated, which is one reason why Mr. Trump will not be staying there. Windsor is a proper castle.”
Lawless reported from London. Related Press author Michelle L. Value in London contributed to this report.
Initially Revealed: September 17, 2025 at 7:28 AM EDT
