Donald Trump was given a lavish royal welcome by King Charles III at Windsor Castle on Wednesday as his second state visit to the United Kingdom began with military pageantry, carriage processions and gun salutes.
The U.S. president, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, arrived at the castle grounds by helicopter shortly after midday, where he was greeted by Prince William and Catherine before meeting Charles and Queen Camilla.
As Trump shook hands with the monarch, a 41-gun salute rang out from six World War One-era guns on the castle’s east lawn, mirrored by a simultaneous display at the Tower of London.
The welcome ceremony featured some 120 horses and around 1,300 members of the British military, in what officials described as the largest guard of honour for a state visit in living memory. Trump and Charles inspected the troops, exchanged light-hearted remarks, and stood for the U.S. national anthem before heading inside for a private lunch.
The elaborate display is part of Britain’s effort to keep the Republican leader “on side” during a period of global uncertainty, though the visit itself is taking place behind tight security and largely out of public view.
“It’s quite sad that the public cannot see the president,” said Charlene Bryan, a Londoner who had travelled to Windsor in hopes of catching a glimpse.
Trump, the first U.S. president to be hosted for two state visits after his 2019 trip under Queen Elizabeth II, will also receive a rare joint flypast of U.S. and U.K. F-35 jets alongside the RAF’s Red Arrows display team. He and the First Lady are scheduled to lay a wreath at Queen Elizabeth’s tomb before attending a white-tie state banquet at Windsor.
The 79-year-old leader appeared in high spirits, calling Charles “my friend” and reflecting on his Scottish roots as he arrived in London Tuesday night. The visit offers him a temporary reprieve from political turbulence at home, where the killing of activist Charlie Kirk has stirred unrest.
Still, controversy followed. Police arrested four people after images of Trump and the late financier Jeffrey Epstein were projected onto Windsor Castle on Tuesday night. Protests were also expected in London as the visit continued.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer will host Trump at his country residence, Chequers. While both sides will welcome pharmaceutical giant GSK’s pledge to invest $30 billion in the United States, talks may be overshadowed by disputes over trade, foreign policy, and political troubles at home—including the fallout from Starmer’s dismissal of UK ambassador Peter Mandelson over links to Epstein.