On Wednesday, September 17, 2025, US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump touched down at Windsor Castle via Marine One helicopter at 12:16 PM, marking the start of their first full day of engagements during their historic second state visit to the United Kingdom. The couple was met with a warm and ceremonial welcome by Prince William and Kate, the Princess of Wales, in the picturesque Walled Garden within the Royal Kitchen Gardens at Frogmore, part of Windsor’s private Home Park estate. However, within moments of stepping off the helicopter, President Trump appeared to deviate from royal protocol during his greeting with Prince William.
As the two men exchanged a handshake—perfectly in line with royal etiquette—Trump went a step further, raising his left arm to give the Prince of Wales a friendly pat on the arm as the handshake concluded. While such a gesture might seem minor, it is considered a breach of traditional royal protocol, which typically calls for more formal interactions. Royal experts noted that this was not the first time Trump, or other US presidents, have strayed from strict protocol in such a manner, but they emphasized that the royal household was unlikely to take offense at the informal gesture, viewing it as a reflection of the President’s personal style rather than a deliberate slight.
The arrival was marked by a grand display of British pageantry. The Band of the Household Cavalry, dressed in their historic state uniforms—crafted in the 17th century from pure gold thread—performed a ceremonial welcome. The Trumps were greeted outside Victoria House, a lesser-known residence nestled within the Royal Kitchen Gardens, offering a personal and family-oriented setting for the occasion. This intimate welcome underscored the warmth of the royal family’s hospitality as they launched a diplomatic charm offensive to honor the visiting US delegation.
Following the initial greeting, King Charles formally welcomed President Trump to Windsor Castle. The occasion was punctuated by a spectacular 41-round gun salute, executed with precision by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery using six First World War-era guns on the East Lawn of Windsor Castle. Simultaneously, the Honourable Artillery Company fired a salute over 20 miles away at the Tower of London, adding to the grandeur of the moment. The scale of the military ceremonial display was described as unprecedented, representing the largest such welcome for a state visit to the UK in living memory.
The carefully orchestrated events, blending tradition, formality, and personal touches, highlighted the significance of the US-UK relationship while showcasing the enduring spectacle of British royal hospitality. Despite the minor protocol breach, the day proceeded with warmth and mutual respect, setting the tone for a series of high-profile engagements during the Trumps’ state visit.
