Trump will be hosted by King at Windsor during second state visit

Trump will be hosted by King at Windsor during second state visit

A formal invitation has been extended to former US President Donald Trump by King Charles III to embark on a second state visit to the United Kingdom. The visit is scheduled to take place from September 17th to 19th and will be hosted at Windsor Castle, as Buckingham Palace is undergoing renovations at the time. Melania Trump, the former First Lady, will accompany Trump during this visit, marking a historic occasion.

Typically, second-term presidents are not granted a state visit, and are instead offered tea or lunch meetings with the monarch. However, Trump’s visit will include a full ceremonial welcome and a state banquet in St. George’s Hall at Windsor Castle. The royal event will involve participation from all senior members of the Royal Family, including the Prince and Princess of Wales who reside within the castle grounds. French President Emmanuel Macron recently had a state visit at Windsor Castle, marking the first of its kind in over a decade.

Security concerns are paramount during visits by US presidents, and Trump’s itinerary is expected to prioritize closed-door events due to safety reasons. It remains uncertain whether Trump will address parliamentarians during his visit, as the House of Commons will be in recess at that time. The official invitation was presented by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to Trump during a meeting at the White House, eliciting a positive response from the former president. The visit is seen as an opportunity for the UK to engage in soft diplomacy and address key issues such as the war in Ukraine and trade tariffs.

Trump’s upcoming state visit will coincide with the opening of his new golf course in Scotland, but logistical challenges have prevented an informal meeting between the former president and the King before the scheduled visit in September. Despite the complexities surrounding the visit, the historic occasion is anticipated to strengthen diplomatic ties between the two nations and showcase the enduring relationship between the US and the UK

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