US PresidentDonald Trump was greeted by royalty, military honor guards and mounted troops in red and gold as he arrived at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, kicking off a two-day state visit to Britain as the guest of King Charles III.
The president's Marine One helicopter landed in the private Walled Garden at the Windsor estate.
Prince William and his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales were on hand to meet the president and first ladyMelania Trump, walking them over to be greeted by the King and Queen Camilla.
The royals then accompanied the Trumps in a ceremonious horse-drawn carriage ride through the vast grounds of the Windsor estate.
King Charles and Trump travelled in the Irish State Coach, with Queen Camilla and the first lady in the Scottish State Coach.
Prince William and Kate followed in another carriage, the Semi-State Landau.
A military band played the British and US national anthems as the carriages crossed the estate.
Trump could be seen chatting with the King as they rode in the carriage together.
On arrival at the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle, King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Trumps took their places on the dais, as the state colours were lowered and the United States' national anthem played.
Trump saluted and the first lady placed her hand on her chest.
Trump was then escorted by an officer as he walked along a line of soldiers in red tunics and bearskin hats.
Charles accompanied him, following a short distance behind. He and the president chatted before they returned to the Royal Dais together.
This was followed by a Rank and March past of The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, the Household Cavalry and the Foot Guards Guard of Honour.
After the march ended, the King and Queen led the Trumps into the castle, where they enjoyed a private lunch in the State Dining Room.
Following the lunch, the group made their way into Green Drawing Room to view a special collection of items from the Royal Collection relating to the United States.
Items in the collection included essays from George III and a first edition of Captain Smith'sHistorie, one of the earliest accounts of English colonies in North America.
The royals, the US president and first lady all exchanged gifts designed to symbolise both countries' ties.
The King and Queen gave the US president a bespoke, hand bound leather volume specially crafted by the Royal Bindery in Windsor Castle, to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
He was also gifted the Union Flag that flew above Buckingham Palace on the day of his most recent inauguration, 20 January 2025.
The first lady was given a personalised handbag by British designer Anya Hindmarch and a silver bowl by an Irish artist.
In return, the Trumps gifted King Charles a replica of a President Eisenhower's sword and gave Queen Camilla a Tiffany & Co. vintage diamond and ruby brooch.
'Unprecedented' military spectacle
Carriages have been polished, hundreds of troops have been drilled to perfection, the family silver is being laid out, and diamonds are being dusted off for a day of royal pageantry on the president's unprecedented second state visit to Britain.
It's a spectacle with a purpose: to bolster ties with a world leader known for a love of bling at a time when his America First policies are putting pressure on trade and security arrangements globally.
Trump arrived in London late on Tuesday and said he loved being back in the United Kingdom, calling it a"very special place."
Asked if he had a message for Charles, he said the King was a longtime friend of his and well-respected.
The backdrop for day one is Windsor Castle, an almost 1000-year-old royal residence with gilded interiors, crenelated towers and priceless artworks.
A gigantic royal standard, the flag used for official celebration days, flew from the castle's Royal Tower as the king and queen prepared for the Trumps to arrive by helicopter from London, where they spent Tuesday night at the US ambassador's residence.
The prospect of a visit to the castle has seemed to enchant Trump, who ditched his trademark bluster and described the invitation as"a great, great honour."
"I think that also is why he seems so visibly excited about the second meeting, because it isn't an invitation given to (just) anyone," said George Gross, an expert on the British monarchy at King's College London.
The military ceremony to welcome Trump was the largest one staged for a state visit to the UK in living memory, officials said.
In total, 120 horses and 1300 members of the British military took part in the ceremonial welcome at Windsor.
The spectacle will conclude with a joint UK-US military flypast — a first during a state visit.
"The joint flypast by UK and US F-35 aircraft is a demonstration of the strength of the UK-US defense and security relationship," Britain's defense ministry said.
State banquet
No US president, or any other world leader, has ever had the honor of a second UK state visit.
That won't be lost on a president who often describes his actions with superlatives and has made no secret of his fondness for Britain's royals.
A day of ceremony in Windsor kicked off with a horse-drawn carriage ride through the estate — 6400 hectares of farms, forest and open space that includes a one-time royal hunting ground, still home to 500 red deer.
Tiaras and medals will be on display as up to 160 guests gather around a 50-metre long mahogany table set with 200-year-old silver to honour the president at the state banquet.
Charles will deliver a speech, then the King and president will offer toasts.
Trump won't, however, have the chance to address a joint session of Parliament as French President Emmanuel Macron did in July during his state visit, because the House of Commons is in recess.
From pomp to politics
After a day of royal pomp, Trump will hold talks on Thursday with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who will tout a new UK-US technology deal.
The British government hopes the deal, and billions in investment from US tech firms, will help show that the trans-Atlantic bond remains strong despite differences over Ukraine, the Middle East and the future of NATO.
Starmer also hopes to avoid awkward questions about Jeffrey Epstein. Days before the state visit, Starmer fired Britain's ambassador to the US, Peter Mandelson, over the envoy's past friendship with the convicted sex offender.
On Tuesday, the campaign group Led By Donkeysprojected an image of Trump and Epstein on a tower at Windsor Castle, a reminder of the president's relationship with the disgraced financier.
Police said they arrested four people over the stunt.
While Britain's royals long ago gave up political power, their history, tradition and celebrity give them a cachet that means presidents and prime ministers covet an invitation to join them.
That makes the invitations, handed out at the request of the elected government, a powerful tool to reward friends and wring concessions out of reluctant allies.
Protection from protests
Most state visits are staged in London, against the grand backdrop of Buckingham Palace and the broad, flag-lined boulevard known as The Mall.
But this one is taking place in the confines of Windsor, a historic town of just over 30,000 people about 40 kilometres west of central London.
That makes it easier to control protests and protect the president at a time of increased international tensions, especially after the fatal shooting of Trump ally Charlie Kirk last week in Utah.
British police have mounted a massive security operation to ensure the president's safety.
When Trump was in London on his first state visit in 2019, he was met by thousands of protesters who filled the streets outside the Houses of Parliament as a balloon shaped like a giant, diaper-wearing baby Trump floated overhead.
Historian Robert Lacey, a consultant on the Netflix television seriesThe Crown, said Windsor is also a more"photogenic setting" for a state visit than London.
"Buckingham Palace has got its balcony, it's got its façade," he said.
But"inside it's very dreary and it's currently being renovated, which is one reason why Mr. Trump will not be staying there. Windsor is a proper castle."
