Press Release: Veritas Press C.I.C.
Author: Kamran Faqir
Article Date Published: 15 July 2025 at 12:00 GMT
Category: US-UK | Politics | Second UK Visit
Source(s): Veritas Press C.I.C. | Multi News Agencies
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LONDON – Buckingham Palace has confirmed that US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will make history with a second state visit to the United Kingdom this September, marking the first time a foreign leader has been granted such an honour twice. The three-day visit, scheduled for September 17-19, 2025, will see the Trumps hosted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle, reinforcing the enduring but complex relationship between the two nations amid escalating global security concerns and trade disputes.
A Royal Invitation With Political Undertones:
The invitation, extended via a personal letter from King Charles, was hand-delivered to Trump by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a February 2025 visit to Washington. The gesture underscores Britain’s eagerness to strengthen transatlantic ties as geopolitical tensions rise, particularly with Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and Trump’s contentious trade policies.
“This is really special, this has never happened before. This is unprecedented,” Starmer declared in the Oval Office as Trump, visibly pleased, read the letter aloud before cameras. The President, a longtime admirer of the British monarchy, called it a “very great honour.”
Yet, behind the diplomatic niceties, reports suggest friction. The Times revealed that King Charles had initially sought to delay the visit until later in Trump’s second term, but Starmer pushed for an earlier date, eager to leverage Trump’s well-documented fascination with the royals to secure favourable terms in upcoming US-UK trade negotiations.
Security and Protests Loom Over Visit:
Trump’s last state visit in 2019 drew massive protests, with thousands flooding London streets to oppose his policies on climate change, immigration, and women’s rights. This time, the Stop Trump Coalition has already announced plans for a major demonstration on September 17, coinciding with his arrival.
Public sentiment remains sharply against Trump in Britain. A March 2025 YouGov poll found that 78% of Britons view him unfavorably, with only 16% holding a positive opinion. Security will be extremely tight, particularly given recent global unrest and Trump’s status as a polarising figure.
A Royal Balancing Act: Trump, Canada, and Charles’ Dilemma.
The visit places King Charles in a delicate position, not just domestically but also in his role as Canada’s head of state. Trump has repeatedly threatened to impose 35% tariffs on Canadian imports starting August 1 and has even mused about annexing Canada as the 51st US state, a stance that complicates Charles’ diplomatic neutrality.
Meanwhile, the Trumps’ relationship with the royals has been a mix of warmth and controversy:
- Melania Trump revealed in her memoir that she and Charles are pen pals, exchanging letters since their 2019 meeting.
- Prince William privately spoke with Trump in Paris earlier this year, offering updates on King Charles’ health and Kate Middleton’s recovery.
- Trump, however, has openly mocked Prince Harry, calling him “whipped” and criticising Meghan Markle as “terrible.”
Comparing Macron’s Lavish Welcome To Trump’s Return:
The visit comes just two months after France’s Emmanuel Macron received a grand state welcome, complete with a horse-drawn carriage procession and a lavish banquet at Windsor Castle. While Macron addressed Parliament and hailed a new era in Franco-British relations, Trump’s itinerary is notably more restrained, partly because the House of Commons will be in recess during his stay.
Why a Second State Visit?
No sitting US president has ever been granted two state visits, raising questions about the motivations behind this historic decision. Analysts suggest several factors:
- Post-Elizabeth Era Diplomacy: Trump’s first invitation came from the late Queen Elizabeth II; this visit solidifies ties under Charles’ reign.
- Global Instability: With Russia’s war in Ukraine and rising tensions in the Middle East, Britain is keen to reaffirm the US-UK “special relationship.”
- Trade Leverage: Starmer hopes royal pomp will soften Trump’s stance in contentious trade talks, particularly on agriculture and digital services.
Trump’s Complicated Royal History:
From pursuing Princess Diana in the 1990s to defending paparazzi who photographed Kate Middleton topless, Trump’s relationship with the royals has been fraught. Key moments include:
- 1990s: Trump allegedly bombarded Diana with flowers, later boasting he “could’ve nailed her.”
- 2012: He blamed Kate Middleton for her own privacy invasion, tweeting, “Who wouldn’t take her picture?”
- 2019: Despite protests, he dined with the Queen and Prince Charles, later calling her “a grand and beautiful lady.”
What’s Next?
Before the September state visit, Trump will meet Starmer in Scotland later this month during a private trip to his Aberdeenshire golf resort. Though not an official state engagement, the talks will likely set the tone for future negotiations.
As Britain prepares to roll out the red carpet once more, the world will be watching, not just for the pomp and ceremony, but for the diplomatic chess game unfolding behind the scenes.
Final Thought:
“In an ever-changing security environment, the one constant is the transatlantic alliance,” says Alan Mendoza of the Henry Jackson Society. This visit isn’t just about Trump, it’s about Britain securing its place beside a powerful, if unpredictable, ally in turbulent times.
