King Charles III is hosting President Donald Trump at Windsor Castle, treating the president Wednesday to pageantry including a gilded horse-drawn carriage ride and the largest military welcome for a state visit to the U.K. in living memory before a lavish white-tie banquet at the castle later Wednesday.
The events are being staged well outside London, making it easier to control protests. British police have undertaken a massive security operation.
Charles and Camilla welcome the Trumps to Windsor
King Charles and Queen Camilla receive President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump as the Prince and Princess of Wales look on, as they arrive at Windsor Castle on day one of their second state visit to the United Kingdom on Sept. 17, 2025. Photo by Aaron Chown/Pool via Reuters
King Charles III and Queen Camilla shook hands with the Trumps outside Windsor Castle.
The president and first lady flew on Marine One from Winfield House, the U.S. ambassador’s residence in London, where they stayed Tuesday night.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive in Marine One at Windsor Castle on Sept. 17, 2025. Photo by Aaron Chown/Pool via Reuters
They were greeted by Prince William of Wales and Kate, the Princess of Wales, who accompanied them on a horse-drawn carriage ride through the vast grounds of the Windsor estate.
Gilded carriage ride through Windsor estate
King Charles III and President Donald Trump sit during the carriage procession to Windsor Castle on Sept. 17, 2025. Photo by Jordan Pettitt/Pool via Reuters
The royals are accompanying the Trumps in a ceremonious horse-drawn carriage ride through the vast grounds of the Windsor estate.
King Charles and Trump are travelling in the Irish State Coach, with Queen Camilla and the first lady in the Scottish State Coach.
Prince William and Kate are following in another carriage, the Semi-State Landau.
King Charles III and President Donald Trump sit in the Irish State Coach at Windsor Castle on Sept. 17, 2025. Photo by Chris Jackson/Pool via Reuters
A military band played the British and U.S. national anthems as the carriages cross the estate. Trump could be seen chatting with the king as they rode in the carriage together.
Trump inspects troops in the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle
President Donald Trump reviews the Guard of Honour after the arrival at Windsor Castle on Sept. 17, 2025. Photo by Kirsty Wigglesworth/Pool via Reuters
King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Trumps took their places on the dais as the state colors 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.
President Donald Trump, Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla stand during the ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle on Sept. 17, 2025. Photo by Jonathan Brady/ Pool via Reuters
Charles accompanied him, following a short distance behind. He and the president chatted for a bit before they returned to the Royal Dais together.
Trump and royals pause for lunch after military ceremonies
A Guard of Honour during the state visit by President Donald Trump at Windsor Castle on Sept. 17, 2025. Photo by Chris Jackson/Pool via Reuters
A guard of honor, comprising soldiers and officers from the Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards and Scots Guards, marched past Trump and King Charles.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump watch the U.S. Army’s Third Infantry Regiment, traditionally known as The Old Guard, at the Beating the Retreat ceremony during Trump’s state visit, at Windsor Castle, on Sept. 17, 2025. Photo by Kevin Lamarque/ Reuters
The formal ceremonial welcome in the castle quadrangle featured the largest ever guard of honor for a state visit to the U.K., officials said.
The RAF Red Arrows perform flypast over Windsor Castle during President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump’s state visit, in Windsor, Britain, on Sept. 17, 2025. Photo by Phil Noble/ Reuters
There was be a pause in the military ceremonies as the Trumps retreated inside Windsor Castle to have lunch with members of the royal family in the State Dining Room.
A brooch, a sword, a handbag and a book: The gifts the Trumps and the royals exchanged
President Donald Trump and King Charles III view items on display during a visit to the Royal Collection exhibition, in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle on Sept. 17, 2025. Photo by Aaron Chown/Pool via Reuters
Buckingham Palace has revealed details about what gifts the royals and the Trumps exchanged on Wednesday.
King Charles and Queen Camilla presented the Trumps with a hand-bound leather volume specially made to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, as well as the Union flag that flew above Buckingham Palace on the day of Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20.
The royals also gave Melania Trump a silver and enamel bowl and a personalized handbag by British designer Anya Hindmarch.
In return, Trump gave Charles a replica of a President Eisenhower sword, and Camilla received a vintage Tiffany & Co. gold, diamond and ruby brooch.
Trump lays a wreath at Queen Elizabeth’s tomb
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump tour the quire of St George’s Chapel with Chapter Clerk Charlotte Manley at Windsor Castle on Sept. 17, 2025. Photo by Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/ Pool via Reuters
Trump and Melania Trump traveled in the presidential limousine to St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump tour the quire of St George’s Chapel with Chapter Clerk Charlotte Manley at Windsor Castle on Sept. 17, 2025. Photo by Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/ Pool via Reuters
The president pumped his fist at reporters waiting nearby before entering, where he privately went to lay a wreath at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump stand for a picture during a visit to St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on Sept,17, 2025. Photo by Aaron Chown/Pool via Reuters
The late queen hosted Trump during his first state visit in 2019.
Flags and protests in Windsor
Souvenirs portraying President Donald Trump, late Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and Britain’s King Charles are displayed in a shop in Windsor on Sept. 16, 2025. Photo by Hannah McKay/ Reuters
The mood in Windsor was largely festive as the town made last-minute preparations for Trump’s state visit.
American and U.K. flags are fastened to lamp posts with gold tassels, waving over the heads of tourists weaving their way past the security cordon surrounding the 1,000-year-old castle that will be the center of the ceremonies on Wednesday.
A Union Jack and U.S. flags hang, as media crews setup outside Windsor Castle on Sept. 17, 2025. Photo by Toby Melville/ Reuters
Harry Law, 22, traveled from Folkestone on the south coast of England, hoping to get a glimpse of the man he called “Orange Hair.”
An anti-Trump protester holds a sign outside Windsor Castle on Sept. 17, 2025. Photo by Phil Noble/ Reuters
“You don’t get to see a president every day,” he said. “I still haven’t seen our prime minister.”
About two dozen people gathered late Tuesday near Windsor Castle to protest the visit, chanting “Dump Trump” and “Trump go home.” A larger protest against Trump is planned for Wednesday in central London.
Dozens of groups will protest against Trump in London
A demonstrator takes part in a “Trump Not Welcome” protest during the state visit in London, on Sept. 17, 2025. Photo by Hannah McKay/ Reuters
While Trump will not be seen in any public-facing events during his two-day trip, police are preparing for a signification operation in central London, where as many as 50 protest groups are expected to march against Trump’s visit.
The Metropolitan Police said 1,600 officers will be deployed on Wednesday, including 500 assisting from other forces.
People take part in a “Trump Not Welcome” protest during the state visit of President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, in London on Sept. 17, 2025. Photo by Arlyn McAdorey/ Reuters
Activists say they will demonstrate against what they called “our government’s choice to honor a man who is violating human rights in the United States and around the world.”
“I don’t think it’s right that we’re having Trump come for the second state visit due to his horrible rhetoric, policies and actions towards women and people of colour,” said Grace Nathew, one of a small group of protesters staging a demonstration near Windsor Castle on Tuesday.
Police said they arrested four people Tuesday over a stunt that saw an image of Trump and Epstein projected on a tower at Windsor Castle, a reminder of the president’s relationship with the disgraced financier.
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