Inside Donald Trump's UK state visit - Prince William and Kate Middleton's big roles and visit to Queen Elizabeth's grave
The US president is set to visit Windsor Castle in September
Donald Trump is set to be hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla in an “unprecedented” second state visit this week, with Kate Middleton and Prince William also taking on a “prominent” role.
The US president and his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, will be in the UK for the visit from September 16 to 19.
Traditionally, presidents are not offered another state visit during their second term. Instead, they’re invited for lunch or tea with the monarch.
But what can we expect from the visit? Let’s take a look.
Where will the state visit be hosted?
The Trumps will be hosted at Windsor Castle. Buckingham Palace would usually be used for something of this nature, but it continues to undergo renovations. When French President Emmanuel Macron was hosted at the castle earlier this summer, it marked the first time the castle had hosted a state visit in more than a decade.
It’s believed that Trump and Melania will arrive in the UK on September 16, before engagements begin on September 17.
Which royals will take part?
We could see all senior members of the royal family will be involved in some capacity.
According to new details, Prince William and his wife Kate, Princess of Wales, who live in Windsor, will greet Trump and his wife.
One royal expert previously described Kate, who has been making a gradual return to work following her cancer treatment last year, as being the “icing on the cake” for Trump.
According to a Trump source, speaking to the MailOnline: “The President and First Lady are thrilled that the Princess of Wales will play such a prominent role in their visit.
“The inclusion of Princess Kate in so many events during the state visit is an honour.”
They added: “The Trumps very much hoped she would be part of their visit.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales will greet the president and first lady before they’re formally welcomed by the king and queen. A royal salute will then be fired from the East Lawn of Windsor Castle and at the Tower of London.
Meanwhile, after that, a carriage procession through the Windsor estate will take place with the senior royals and the Trumps.
Following the procession, Trump will have lunch in the State Dining Room with the king and queen.
Will Trump visit Queen Elizabeth II’s grave?
Following the state lunch on September 17, the president and first lady will pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II in private at her grave, located in St George’s Chapel, at Windsor Castle. They’ll lay a wreath for the late monarch.
Then, the Trumps will be given a “short tour of the chapel and will hear a musical performance from the chapel choir”.
On Wednesday evening, a state banquet will take place, expected to be attended by more than 150 people including high-profile public figures.
What will Princess Kate do with Melania Trump?
On September 18, the Trumps will carry out separate engagements.
President Trump will meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his wife, Lady Victoria, at Chequers, where he will view the Sir Winston Churchill archives and attend a business reception.
Meanwhile, Melania will meet with the Princess of Wales.
Melania will first look at Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House and the Royal Library at Windsor Castle.
She is later expected to meet the princess at Frogmore Gardens. There, they will meet Chief Scout Dwayne Fields, and members of the Scouts’ Squirrels programme.
Melania will then reunite with her husband at Chequers.
Royal Insider has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment.
Why is there a second state visit?
Sir Keir Starmer presented Trump with an invitation from the king when he visited the White House in February. Trump described it as a “great, great honour,” adding: “And that says at Windsor – that’s really something.”
Trump is known to be a fan of the royal family. He said in April: “I’m a friend of Charles, I have great respect for King Charles and the family, William. We have really just a great respect for the family.”
Commentators have said that the decision to invite Trump for a second state visit may be in part to help Starmer influence him over the war in Ukraine and in a bid to lessen the tariffs placed on UK exports to the US. It was reported back in January, too, that Charles could be used as a tactic to charm the president.
What is a state visit in the UK?
State visits are formal visits hosted by the British Sovereign. Typically, a monarch will host one or two a year.
Queen Elizabeth II hosted 113 state visits during her time as monarch from 1952 to 2022.
What happened in Trump’s first state visit?
Trump was hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2019, during his first term in office. Joined by Melania, he flew into the Buckingham Palace gardens. He was met by Charles and Camilla before being escorted to the West Terrace to be greeted by the queen.
Trump and Charles inspected the Guard of Honour before a private lunch and then looked around items from the Royal Collection. The items showcased the so-called “special relationship” between the UK and US.
Read more: Donald Trump’s gushing words about King Charles and Queen Camilla ahead of UK state visit
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