Buckingham Palace has announced that the public will not be able to greet US President Donald Trump on the opening day of his state visit to the UK. Unlike past visits, all of his initial engagements will take place within the private grounds of the Windsor estate.
The traditional carriage procession will be restricted to Home Park, in contrast to French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit last July, when he travelled through crowds in central London. Mr. Trump will also forgo the customary stop at Westminster Abbey’s Grave of the Unknown Warrior. Instead, he and the First Lady will privately lay a wreath at the Tomb of Queen Elizabeth II, followed by a short chapel tour and a performance by the choir.
This marks Mr. Trump’s second UK state visit—an unprecedented honor for a US president—and it is expected to spark widespread demonstrations from the Stop Trump Coalition in both Windsor and London. Security will be significantly tightened throughout his stay.
The President will still receive the full ceremonial welcome, including a parade in Windsor Castle’s quadrangle and a state banquet. However, two new additions have been introduced: a flypast by the Red Arrows alongside UK and US F-35 fighter jets over the East Lawn, and a special Beating Retreat military ceremony—both firsts for a visiting head of state.
The highlight of the trip will be Wednesday’s banquet in St. George’s Hall, where 160 guests will dine as King Charles and President Trump deliver speeches. On Thursday, the Queen will guide the First Lady through Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House and the Royal Library at Windsor before hosting her and the Princess of Wales at Frogmore Gardens to meet the Chief Scout.
Meanwhile, Mr. Trump will head to the Prime Minister’s country residence, Chequers, for talks with Sir Keir Starmer and his wife, Lady Starmer. The leaders will tour the Sir Winston Churchill archives before holding a bilateral meeting and joint press conference.
