On September 17, 2025, at precisely 21:27:18 UTC, the world was reminded once again of the extraordinary symbolism that state visits hold when it comes to diplomatic relations, tradition, and ceremony. This story, available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers, captures in detail the lavish pageantry with which the British royal family received President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump during their highly unusual second state visit to the United Kingdom.
In an effort to highlight the enduring bond between London and Washington, King Charles III and Queen Camilla orchestrated a welcome that emphasized both opulence and historic gravitas. The American president and first lady were invited to Windsor Castle, where their arrival was marked by a carefully choreographed sequence of events: gilded carriage rides through the castle grounds, solemn military honors, a Red Arrows aerial display streaking patriotic colors across the sky, and a monumental state banquet attended by members of Britain’s royal household as well as influential global technology leaders. The presence of Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, further underscored the deep sense of royal unity on display.
Trump’s inaugural state visit took place in 2019 during his first presidential term. It is exceedingly rare for American presidents to be granted a second invitation, for such ceremonies are generally bestowed only once. Yet circumstances shifted when Prime Minister Keir Starmer extended the honor earlier that year, during a diplomatic meeting at the White House. This gesture was widely interpreted as a calculated move to reaffirm the so-called “special relationship” at a time when Trump’s global tariff policies were generating tension abroad. Thus, the foundation of this second visit was steeped not merely in pageantry but in the nuances of geopolitical strategy.
The Trumps touched down in the United Kingdom on a Tuesday evening and were officially greeted at Stansted Airport by Viscount Henry Hood upon disembarking Air Force One. The itinerary continued the following morning with their transfer aboard Marine One, the presidential helicopter, which brought them directly to Windsor Castle. There, Prince William and Catherine greeted them at the castle’s gates, setting the stage for the grandeur that followed.
Perhaps the most striking display of tradition occurred when King Charles invited President Trump to accompany him in the Irish State Coach, a horse-drawn, gilded carriage typically reserved for one of Britain’s most sacred occasions: the Sovereign’s ceremonial journey to the State Opening of Parliament. Simultaneously, Queen Camilla and Melania Trump traveled in the Scottish State Coach, emphasizing the parallel roles of the respective couples. This moment alone conveyed the profound symbolism of the monarchy extending its most venerable traditions to an American visitor.
The royal welcome continued within the expansive Quadrangle of Windsor Castle, where the Guard of Honor assembled in flawless formation. Representing some of Britain’s oldest and most decorated regiments, the Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, and Scots Guards presented themselves. Bands played renditions of both the British and American national anthems, during which Donald Trump stood in salute while Melania Trump pressed a hand over her heart. Both couples coordinated attire in harmonious shades of blue and gray, further emphasizing statesmanship and unity. Melania’s Dior skirt suit, accented by a purple hat and echoed by the president’s purple tie, contrasted elegantly with Charles’s navy suit and Camilla’s royal blue dress, complete with a matching hat.
As tradition required, King Charles and President Trump inspected the lines of soldiers standing in ceremonial order, with Charles gesturing to Trump to walk slightly ahead. This subtle moment recalled the controversy from the 2019 state visit, in which Trump was criticized for stepping ahead of Queen Elizabeth II unbidden. This time, by contrast, his positioning was sanctioned, preserving royal protocol.
The gathering then moved indoors to Windsor Castle’s Green Drawing Room, an opulent chamber where Charles and Camilla displayed items from the Royal Collection. The artifacts selected carried particular relevance to Anglo-American history: among them a rare first edition of John Smith’s “Generall Historie of Virginia,” which detailed his encounters with Pocahontas; a letter written in 1774 by King George III acknowledging colonial rebellion and referencing the Boston Tea Party; and a historic ticker-tape message transmitted by Queen Victoria to U.S. President James Buchanan in 1858. These curated objects underscored not only the long lineage of transatlantic relations but also the fluctuating nature of Britain’s interactions with the United States—from conflict to cooperation.
Following a private luncheon, the president and first lady were guided on a solemn tour of St George’s Chapel, culminating in a wreath-laying at the tomb of the late Queen Elizabeth II. At the chapel, the church choir performed the opening movement of Vivaldi’s“Gloria,” adding a profound musical dimension to the day’s solemnity. Shortly afterward, the skies above Windsor Castle came alive with the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, known as the Red Arrows, painting the air in vibrant streams of red, white, and blue. Though additional flyovers by British and American F-35 fighter jets had been scheduled, these displays were unfortunately canceled due to adverse weather.
The day’s crescendo arrived in the evening, when the castle opened its grandest ceremonial chamber, St George’s Hall, for a state banquet of extraordinary opulence. Guests entered to find the hall glittering with polished gold cutlery, delicately patterned crystal goblets, and meticulously arranged floral centerpieces. Queen Camilla appeared in a striking blue dress by designer Fiona Clare, while Melania Trump wore an elegant yellow Carolina Herrera gown cinched with a pale violet belt. Donald Trump and King Charles both embodied formal sophistication in white-tie tuxedos. Distinguished attendees included Prince William and Catherine, who wore a radiant gold Chantilly lace gown by Phillipa Lepley and adorned her ensemble with the historic Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot tiara. Tiffany Trump also accompanied the gathering, accompanied by her husband Michael Boulos, wearing a deep navy gown in contrast to his tuxedo.
The guest list extended beyond royalty and political figures to include some of the most influential economic and technological leaders of the modern era. Among those present were Tim Cook, chief executive officer of Apple, media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, and Sam Altman, a pioneer in artificial intelligence. Their attendance signaled the contemporary reality that state banquets, while steeped in tradition, are also arenas for global networking, emphasizing economic and technological diplomacy alongside cultural pageantry.
This meticulously orchestrated day encapsulated the essence of diplomatic theater: a theater in which symbolism, history, politics, and personal relationships converge against the backdrop of royal grandeur. By extending an invitation for such a resplendent second state visit, the United Kingdom underscored its intent both to honor tradition and to secure its evolving partnership with the United States in an era of shifting geopolitics. The visit, ultimately, was less about individuals than about the resonance of two nations continuing to define their intertwined destinies on the world stage.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-uk-state-visit-photos-windsor-castle-2025-9
