King Charles Hosts President Trump on State Visit, Highlights US-UK Partnership
King Charles praised President Donald Trump for his commitment to “finding solutions to some of the world’s most intractable conflicts” during a state banquet at Windsor Castle, while calling for continued US support for Ukraine against tyranny.
In response, President Trump lauded the special relationship between the US and the UK, saying the word “special does not begin to do it justice.” The banquet, attended by 160 guests, highlighted the deep cultural, trading, and military ties between the two nations.
“Our people have fought and died together for the values we hold dear,” the King said during his address.
Royal Pageantry and Political Engagement
The visit included a mix of royal pageantry and political diplomacy. Upon arrival, Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were welcomed by the King, Queen Camilla, and senior royals. The couple inspected troops and toured St George’s Chapel, where Trump admired the Royal Collection’s historic documents on US independence.
The Prince and Princess of Wales also met privately with the president and praised him for his long-standing admiration of the late Queen Elizabeth, including laying a wreath at her tomb.
Gifts were exchanged, including a Buckingham Palace flag flown on Trump’s 2025 inauguration day, symbolizing the strength of UK-US ties.
Focus on Trade, Technology, and Investment
The banquet highlighted the economic partnership between the two countries, with more tech industry leaders present than celebrities. Apple CEO Tim Cook and OpenAI’s Sam Altman attended, alongside announcements of £150bn in US investments into the UK, including £22bn from Microsoft.
Press baron Rupert Murdoch and senior political figures were also present. The main course served was Norfolk organic chicken, underscoring the state banquet’s formal yet cultural tone.
Military Display and Diplomatic Messaging
The state visit featured the largest-ever guard of honour for a UK state visit, with 1,300 service members from the Army, Royal Navy, and RAF. A flypast by the Red Arrows was accompanied by a planned F-35 flypast, canceled due to weather.
The large-scale military display underscored the UK’s call for continued US commitment to NATO and support for Ukraine, while the King also highlighted the need to protect the environment for future generations.
Behind the Scenes and Public Reaction
Unlike recent visits, much of the itinerary took place behind closed doors at Windsor and Chequers, the Prime Minister’s country estate.
A protest in London against the visit was held, including members of the anti-monarchy group Republic, though demonstrations were largely out of sight from the US delegation.
President Trump described the visit as one of the “highest honours” of his life, reinforcing the significance of the UK-US alliance.
