President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump are spending Wednesday in the United Kingdom as part of an official state visit. They first arrived on Tuesday, making Trump the first second-term U.S. leader to be invited to a second official state visit to the U.K.
The trip has already featured the trademark pomp and circumstance offered by the royal family.
Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025
Trump speaks at banquet
Trump spoke on the gratuity he received from the royal family on his second visit to the U.K. and the accomplishments the country has made throughout history. The president spoke on the relationship that the two countries share, saying it was “one of the great friendships.”
Trumps attend state banquet
The president and the first lady, along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and others in his administration, began their state banquet with the royal family at 8:30 p.m. local time. During the dinner, King Charles spoke on the relationship between the U.S. and Great Britain, saying it was “forged by fire.”
The banquet featured more than 150 guests, including Apple CEO Tim Cook and Trump’s daughter Tiffany.
Trumps, Royal family have break until banquet
The president and first lady, along with the royal family, have a break from the public eye until the state banquet, scheduled for 8:30 p.m. local time or 2:30 p.m. CST. However, SAN will continue to monitor for updates.
Trump attends military ceremony
Trump and the first lady sat alongside King Charles and Queen Camilla for a rendition of Beating Retreat, a military ceremony that originated in the early years of organized warfare.
The U.K. Ministry of Defence said 1,300 service members took part in the ceremony, including the performance from 200 U.S. and U.K. musicians.
Following the performance, the Red Arrows took to the skies over Windsor.
Trump visits Queen Elizabeth’s tomb
The president and first lady toured St. George’s Chapel on the grounds of Windsor castle. The White House said Trump laid a wreath on Queen Elizabeth’s tomb, who is laid to rest at the chapel.
CBS News reports several members of Trump’s administration and staff arrived at the chapel before him, including Marco Rubio, Steve Witkoff, Scott Bessent and Stephen Miller.
Trump at Windsor Castle
King Charles and his wife hosted Trump and the first lady for lunch at Windsor Castle. The New York Times reported that the atmosphere for Trump’s second state visit was “notably more harmonious” than his 2019 state visit.
The Trumps and royal family exchanged gifts: Trump gave King Charles a replica of former President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s sword and Camilla a Tiffany diamond and ruby flower brooch. King Charles gave Trump a leather-bound book marking the Declaration of Independence’s 250th anniversary. Melania Trump received a silver and enamel bowl, created by Northern Ireland artist Cara Murphy, as well as an Anya Hindmarch handbag, the Times reported.
In opposition to his visit, London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, accused Trump of “fanning the flames of divisive, far-right politics around the world.” The Times reported that the two men share a long-running feud.
Windsor Castle welcome ceremony
King Charles and Queen Camilla welcomed the president and first lady as honored guests at Windsor Castle on Wednesday morning. The welcome ceremony featured a carriage procession and a military flyover.
Photos also feature Prince William and Duchess Kate, who also are on site at Windsor castle.
The visit will conclude with a banquet at St. George’s Hall, completed with speeches and toasts.
Protest outside BBC
CBS News reported that a few hundred people gathered outside the BBC television network in London to protest Trump’s visit.
CBS said one woman was dressed as the Statue of Liberty and held a sign that showed Trump’s face. She held another that said, “The Statue of Taking Liberties.”
Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025
Arrests during Trump visit
However, the visit to Windsor Castle took an unexpected turn Tuesday night. Police arrested four people after they allegedly projected images of Trump and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein onto Windsor Castle.
The projections included photos of Trump and Epstein together, and a lewd birthday message Trump allegedly sent Epstein in 2003.
The Epstein case has not only caused controversy stateside, but it has also led to shakeups in the U.K. Peter Mandelson, U.K. ambassador to the U.S., was fired this month over his relationship with Epstein.
Epstein’s “birthday book”, which Ghislaine Maxwell gifted him for his 50th birthday, reportedly showed a message that Mandelson signed. It called Epstein, “my best pal.”
Additionally, in 2019, Prince Andrew stepped back from his royal duties over his friendship with Epstein.
He was later stripped of his military affiliations and royal patronages after his lawyers failed to convince a U.S. judge to dismiss a lawsuit accusing him of sexual abuse.
Tech deal
The trip began with a major announcement: a new technology pact between the U.S. and Britain.
Big names like Google, Microsoft and Nvidia have committed $42 billion to the “Tech Prosperity Deal.”
Britain said the pact includes joint efforts to develop AI models for healthcare, expand quantum computing capabilities and streamline civil nuclear projects.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it a deal that will shape the future for millions on both sides of the Atlantic.
Trump arrives in UK
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrived in the United Kingdom on Tuesday night. They were welcomed by dignitaries and members of the Royal Air Force as their state visit began.
