US President Donald Trump on Wednesday celebrated the special relationship between his country and Britain, offering a glowing tribute to King Charles during his historic second state visit. He called the invitation one of the highest honors of his life.
The day was filled with unprecedented pageantry for a foreign leader. Trump and his wife, Melania, were immersed in the full spectacle of British tradition, after which the president effusively praised his nation’s close ally.
“The bond of kinship and identity between America and the United Kingdom is priceless and eternal. It’s irreplaceable and unbreakable,” Trump declared in a speech at a lavish banquet at Windsor Castle, the ancestral home of British monarchs for nearly a millennium.
Special Relationship Remains Strong
Referring to the “special relationship” between the two nations, Trump stated: “Seen from American eyes, the word ‘special’ does not begin to do it justice.”
Trump’s speech will be welcomed by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Shortly after Trump returned to office in January, Starmer extended the state visit invitation, hoping to leverage the president’s well-known Anglophilia and admiration for the Royal Family.
Starmer’s government hopes the trip will help deepen economic ties, secure billions of dollars in investment, ease tariffs, and provide an opportunity to press the president on issues related to Ukraine and Israel.
Britain rolled out the royal red carpet, giving Trump the largest military ceremonial welcome for a state visit in recent memory. Trump made no secret of his delight at being the first US leader, and the first elected politician, to be invited for two state visits. “This is truly one of the highest honors of my life,” he said.
UK Hopes to Capitalize on Royal Affection
Throughout the visit, Britain is hoping to convert Trump’s fondness for the country—his mother was from Scotland—and his admiration for the royals into tangible actions.
Companies including Microsoft, Nvidia, Google, and OpenAI have already pledged 31 billion pounds ($42 billion) in British investments over the next few years, focusing on AI, quantum computing, and civil nuclear energy.
Starmer is also seeking further progress on trade after Britain secured the first deal with Trump to lower some tariffs. The leaders may discuss remaining levies on steel, whisky, and salmon.
“The United Kingdom was your partner in the first trade deal of your administration, Mr. President, bringing jobs and growth to both our countries,” the King said in his speech. “And no doubt we can go even further as we build this new era of our partnership.”
However, even as Starmer banks on the Royal Family to help persuade the president, potential pitfalls remain.
Polls show that Trump is widely unpopular in Britain, and Starmer, who is facing his own plummeting poll ratings and economic challenges, needs to show that his royal “trump card” can yield benefits.
While many Trump supporters were present in the crowds at Windsor and London, several thousand people also marched in protest against the state visit.
“I quite simply dislike everything that Trump and his administration represent around the globe,” said retiree Bryan Murray.
Questions About Epstein Linger
Awkward questions about the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein may also arise.
Last week, Starmer fired Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to Washington over his ties to Epstein. This could lead to difficult questions for both the prime minister and Trump, whose own relationship with the financier has come under scrutiny.
Among the guests at Wednesday’s banquet was Rupert Murdoch, whose Wall Street Journal is being sued by the president in a $10 billion defamation case over an article that linked Trump to Epstein.
While there was a massive security operation in Windsor, police said four people had been arrested on Tuesday after images of Trump alongside Epstein were projected onto one of the castle’s towers. Trump was not present at the time.
The Times newspaper has also reported that Britain would announce its recognition of a Palestinian state after Trump’s departure. The US opposes this move, which could become a thorny issue during their talks.
Trump Dazzled by Pageantry
While Thursday’s focus will shift to geopolitics and trade when Starmer hosts Trump at his Chequers country residence, Wednesday was all about ceremony.
Trump and Melania joined Charles, his wife Queen Camilla, and other royals and dignitaries for a carriage procession along a route lined with 1,300 British service personnel.
Later, the Trumps viewed historical items from the Royal Collection related to the US and visited St. George’s Chapel, the final resting place of Queen Elizabeth. She had hosted Trump during his first state visit in 2019 and died in September 2022. Trump laid a wreath on her tomb.
The day also included a military parade and a flypast by Britain’s Red Arrows aerobatics team. Unfortunately, poor weather prevented British and US F-35 military jets—a symbol of bilateral defense collaboration—from joining.
The Trumps also had a private meeting with the king’s elder son, Prince William, and his wife Kate, which a spokesperson for the prince described as “warm and friendly.” Trump later praised “beautiful” Kate and said William was “going to have unbelievable success in the future.”
As for Charles, the 76-year-old monarch, the president said he was a “very, very special man.”
