King in the castle: Charles to host Trump during ‘unprecedented’ UK trip
By David Crowe
London: King Charles will host Donald Trump at Windsor Castle in September as part of a state visit designed to calm Britain’s diplomatic tensions with America, lavishing attention on the US president at the royal estate.
Buckingham Palace said Trump and his wife, Melania, had accepted an invitation to visit from September 17 to 19, confirming the plans amid intense speculation about the treatment he will receive.
Days after French President Emmanuel Macron joined rock stars and the royal family at Windsor Castle for a state banquet, the British press has played down the prospect of Trump gaining similar honours when he arrives.
While Macron addressed parliament during his visit, there has been no public statement about a similar plan for Trump.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer handed Trump the King’s written invitation during a press event at the White House in February, ensuring live coverage as the president opened the envelope.
“This is really special. This has never happened before. This is unprecedented,” Starmer told Trump.
“The answer is yes,” Trump said upon reading the invitation.
Queen Elizabeth hosted Trump at Windsor Castle seven years ago, making this year’s event the president’s second state visit to the UK – an honour no other leader has received.
But the previous visit sparked a public relations storm over the president’s behaviour during the ceremonies, including whether he walked ahead of the Queen and turned his back on her.
Trump was reproached in parts of the British media for this slip in royal etiquette, as well as for arriving 15 minutes late to the formal greeting from the Queen, who was said to dislike tardiness.
The September visit will require delicate diplomacy after the King flew to Canada in May to open parliament at a time of strong criticism of Trump for his repeated claims that Canada should become the 51st state of the US.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who was engaged in public rows with Trump over trade, oversaw a speech for the monarch that emphasised sovereignty and independence.
Reading the speech prepared by the government, King Charles told parliament: “The True North is indeed strong and free.”
Trump joined Carney at the G7 summit in Canada last month but left the event early and has since threatened the country with tariffs of 35 per cent, slightly worse than the 30 per cent rates proposed for the European Union and Mexico.
Starmer, however, sealed a trade agreement with Trump at the G7 summit that avoided steep tariffs on British goods.
There have been tensions in the relationship, however, on the key question of Ukraine after Trump withdrew support from the country and Starmer took a starkly different approach, scaling up help instead.
King Charles hosted a banquet for Macron last week with guests including Sir Elton John, Sir Mick Jagger, Dame Kristin Scott Thomas, author Sebastian Faulks and footballer Mary Earps.
While Macron addressed both houses of the UK parliament last week, Trump did not do so in his 2018 visit and may not be able to do so in September because of the Westminster schedule.
Trump during his first presidential term, with then-Prince Charles in 2019.Credit: AP
The House of Commons will be in recess at the time of the visit, although the House of Lords will be sitting.
Trump will also visit the UK later this month for an informal trip to his new golf course in Aberdeenshire in Scotland, but this is not expected to include any time with the King.
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