Trump to visit UK for second state visit, dates announced
Photo: Donald Trump, President of the United States (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump will make a two-day state visit to the United Kingdom, a move considered unprecedented in modern political history, according to The New York Times and Reuters.
The visit is scheduled to take place from September 17 to 19, 2025.
"His Majesty the King will host the President and Mrs Trump at Windsor Castle," read the official statement from Buckingham Palace.
With this visit, Trump will become the first political leader in modern history to be hosted by a British monarch for a second state visit.
In February, King Charles III sent a formal invitation letter, which was personally delivered to Trump by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during his visit to the Oval Office. In June, the American leader responded with a letter accepting the invitation.
Mr. Starmer played up the unusual nature of the repeat invitation, saying, "This has never happened before; this is unprecedented."
Ceremonial events and possible omission from Parliament
State visits to the UK are typically marked by high-level ceremonies, including a carriage procession through central London and a formal banquet at Buckingham Palace.
However, according to British media, the chosen dates suggest Trump is unlikely to address Parliament, as lawmakers usually recess in late September for the annual party conferences.
A Reuters source also reported that Starmer and Trump are expected to hold a separate meeting in Scotland later in July, though the exact date has not yet been confirmed.
Over recent months, Trump and King Charles III have developed a warm relationship. In June, on the sidelines of the G7 summit, they signed a framework trade agreement that formally reduced certain US tariffs on British imports.
Trump's first state visit
Donald Trump first visited the UK on a state visit in June 2019 during his first term as US president. At the time, the late Queen Elizabeth II hosted him at Buckingham Palace for a three-day visit. He had a private lunch with the Queen and tea with then-Prince Charles.
Trump’s previous visits to the UK were accompanied by widespread protests. His 2018 visit alone cost British police more than £14 million ($18.88 million), with 10,000 officers deployed nationwide for security.
Polls consistently show that the majority of Britons hold an unfavorable view of the former US president.
Complex planning behind second visit
The second state visit is part of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s broader strategy to foster personal ties between world leaders.
In early March, some British politicians called for the visit to be canceled following Trump’s heated exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the White House. However, Starmer dismissed those calls.
