Trump makes historic second state visit to the UK in September
- Donald Trump is set for a three-day state visit to the UK from September 17 to 19, hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
- This visit is unprecedented as no U.S. president has received an invitation for a second state visit to the UK before.
- The visit highlights the ongoing diplomatic relations between the U.S. and the UK, despite potential protests and political controversies.
In September 2025, Donald Trump is scheduled to make an unprecedented second state visit to the United Kingdom, hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle. This visit will take place from the 17th to the 19th and is noteworthy as no U.S. president has previously been invited for a second state visit. During the three-day visit, Trump will be accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump. Although he will not address Parliament, which will be in recess for party conference season, he will have the opportunity to engage with the royal family in a more ceremonial setting. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's role is significant in extending this invitation, which he hand-delivered during a meeting with Trump at the White House in February. Trump expressed that receiving this invitation was a 'great honor' and particularly appreciated the notion of staying at Windsor Castle. Historically, second-term U.S. presidents often only receive personal invitations for informal meetings rather than state visits, making this gesture by King Charles unprecedented and reflecting the friendly relations between the two leaders. Previous interactions between Trump and the British monarchy have been marked by extensive security measures and public protests, as was seen during Trump's first visit in 2019 when he was hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II. Some lawmakers, particularly from the Labour Party, have criticized the invitation, questioning whether it is appropriate to extend such honour to a leader whose policies have been controversial, especially regarding international relations and domestic issues in the U.K. As King Charles also serves as head of state for Canada, a parallel concern arises with Trump's previous comments about Canada possibly becoming the 51st state of the U.S. During his earlier speeches, Charles emphasized Canada's sovereignty, calling attention to its unique identity and values. All these aspects create an intricate backdrop for Trump's upcoming visit, as he is expected to navigate public sentiment and political discourse, which may not be entirely welcoming as seen during his previous tenure.