Pageantry and Protest Mark the First Day of Donald Trump's State Visit to the UK

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Key Points

Donald Trump kicked off his notable second UK state visit, marked by pomp, security, and royal ceremony.
The day ended with an extravagant banquet, yet it was overshadowed by protests and links to Jeffrey Epstein.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is hopeful the royal family can encourage Trump to make strides in trade discussions.

United States President Donald Trump praised the unique bond between the US and the UK, expressing deep admiration for King Charles during his significant second state visit, describing it as one of his highest honors.

That Wednesday marked an extraordinary display of grandeur for a visiting foreign leader.

Trump and First Lady Melania experienced the complete spectacle of British ceremonial tradition. Afterwards, Trump lauded the solid connection with his nation’s steadfast ally.

“The kinship and identity shared by America and the United Kingdom are invaluable and eternal. It’s irreplaceable and unbreakable,” Trump stated during a lavish evening at Windsor Castle, the royal family’s historic residence for nearly a millennium.

“From an American perspective, the term ‘special’ hardly captures the full essence,” Trump remarked about the bilateral ties.

Two large rows of people seated on either side of a large banquet table.

The first day of Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK concludes with a banquet at Windsor Castle. Source: AAP / PA / Phil Noble

Trump’s speech will be music to the ears of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

He proffered a state visit to win favour with Trump, the well-known anglophile and overt royal fan, shortly after the US president returned to office in January.

Britain rolled out the royal red carpet, giving Trump the largest military ceremonial welcome for a state visit in living memory.

Trump openly expressed his pleasure at being the first US leader, and the first elected official, to receive two state visit invitations. “This stands as one of the most significant honors of my life,” he commented.

Donald Trump and King Charles seated at an elegant table, talking to each other.

Donald Trump called the bond between the US and UK “priceless and eternal”. Source: AAP / AP / Yui Mok

Over the course of the visit, Starmer is hoping to convert Trump’s affection for Britain — his mother came from Scotland — and admiration for the royals into concrete actions.

Companies including Microsoft, Nvidia, Google and OpenAI have already pledged 31 billion pounds ($63 billion) in British investments over the next few years, in AI, quantum computing and civil nuclear energy.

Starmer also wants further progress on trade, after Britain secured the first deal with Trump to lower some tariffs. Talks may touch on remaining levies on steel, whisky and salmon.

“The UK was a partner in the inaugural trade agreement of your presidency, Mr. President, which spurred job creation and economic growth for both nations,” noted King Charles in his address. “We can undoubtedly achieve more as we embark on this new chapter in our partnership.”

How popular is Donald Trump in the UK?

While Starmer is banking on the royals to help cajole the president, pitfalls remain.

Polls indicate Trump’s widespread unpopularity in the UK, and Starmer, tackling his own dipping approval ratings and financial challenges, must prove his royal connection can yield benefits.

A large crowd of protesters, one of whom is holding up a balloon that resembles Donald Trump.

Protesters in London demonstrated against Donald Trump’s visit to the UK. Source: AAP / EPA / Tolga Akmen

While there were many Trump supporters in crowds at Windsor in London, several thousand people marched to protest against the state visit.

“I quite simply dislike everything that Trump and his administration represent around the globe,” retiree Bryan Murray said.

A man wearing a blue coat plays guitar and sings into a microphone.

Musician Billy Bragg performed at a protest. Source: AAP / PA / James Manning

Awkward questions about late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein might also come to the fore.

Last week saw Starmer dismiss Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to Washington due to connections with Epstein, potentially raising concerns for both the Prime Minister and Trump, given Trump’s own scrutiny regarding his relationship with the financier.

While the focus will turn to geopolitics and trade when Starmer hosts Trump at his Chequers country residence, Wednesday was all about ceremony.

Donald Trump walking down a gilded hall alongside King Charles, talking and gesticulating.

Donald Trump (left) has been treated to a show of royal pageantry by King Charles and Queen Camilla. Source: AAP / AP / Kevin Lamarque

Trump and Melania joined Charles, his wife Queen Camilla and other royals and dignitaries for a carriage procession, with the route lined by 1,300 British service personnel.

Later, the Trumps viewed historical items from the Royal Collection relating to the US, and then visited St George’s Chapel, the final resting place of Queen Elizabeth, who hosted Trump for his first state visit in 2019, to lay a wreath on her tomb. She died in September 2022.

There was a further military parade and a flypast by Britain’s Red Arrows aerobatics team.

Aeroplanes fly in the sky, letting out red, white and blue smoke.

The UK laid on what it said was the largest military ceremonial welcome for a state visit in living memory. Source: AAP / PA / Jordan Pettitt

The Trumps also found time for a private meeting with the king’s elder son Prince William and the heir’s wife Kate, which was described by the prince’s spokesperson as “warm and friendly”.

Trump later praised “beautiful” Kate and said William was “going to have unbelievable success in the future”.

As for Charles, the 76-year-old monarch, he was a “very, very special man”, the president said.