UK rolls out its grandest welcome in modern history for Trump: Motorcade, parade, and fireworks
Photo: Donald Trump (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump, on Wednesday, September 17, officially began his unprecedented second state visit to the United Kingdom. It is taking place against the backdrop of diplomatic negotiations and discussions on difficult issues, Reuters reports.
King Charles and the royal family hosted the US President with a grand reception at Windsor Castle. For Trump, they prepared a carriage procession, gun salutes, a military flypast, and a lavish banquet.
The President and First Lady have arrived! pic.twitter.com/tBwdsDk0EI
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 16, 2025
British authorities state that this is the largest ceremonial welcome for a state visit in modern history.
The President and First Lady have arrived! pic.twitter.com/tBwdsDk0EI
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 16, 2025
Personal sympathies and diplomatic goals
Trump has long shown affection for the British monarchy and became the first elected politician to be invited by the monarch twice. “I Love King Charles,” the US President previously wrote on Truth Social.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hopes to use the visit to strengthen the “special relationship” between the two countries. At the center of the talks are the economy, investments, tariffs, and support for Ukraine.
Ceremonies and visit program
On Wednesday, the program will be fully dedicated to ceremonies. Donald and Melania Trump will be welcomed by Prince William and his wife, Kate. Later, King Charles and Queen Camilla will join the presidential couple in a motorcade through the castle grounds, involving 1,300 service members.
Trump will visit St George’s Chapel, where he will lay a wreath at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth, who hosted him in 2019. The day will conclude with a banquet and speeches by Charles and Trump.
Security concerns and protests
Security is being provided by thousands of law enforcement officers. A large-scale police operation is underway in Windsor, while 1,600 officers have been deployed in London to control protests by the Stop the Trump Coalition movement.
For Charles himself, the visit may prove ambiguous. His views on ecology, religion, and international relations differ significantly from Trump’s. However, the visit gives the monarch unprecedented global attention after his coronation.
Further talks and sensitive issues
On Thursday, negotiations will continue at the Prime Minister’s country residence, Chequers. Starmer hopes that the focus on the monarchy will help divert attention from sensitive topics, including freedom of speech and the resignation of the UK’s ambassador to the US, Peter Mandelson.
The scandal over Mandelson’s ties with convicted financier Jeffrey Epstein could raise uncomfortable questions for both the British Prime Minister and Trump, whose own connections to Epstein have faced criticism.
According to Sky News, as Trump was heading to the US ambassador’s residence in central London on Tuesday evening, protesters projected giant images of the President next to pedophile Epstein onto Windsor Castle.
In addition, police arrested a man suspected of flying a drone over Windsor on the eve of President Trump’s visit.
