US President Donald Trump to Make Historic Return to the UK for Second State Visit, Palace Confirms

In a rare diplomatic move, Buckingham Palace has confirmed that US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will make an official State Visit to the United Kingdom from 17 to 19 September 2025.

Announced just after midnight on 14 July, the Palace stated: 'The President of the United States of America, President Donald J. Trump, accompanied by the First Lady Mrs. Melania Trump, has accepted an invitation from His Majesty The King to pay a State Visit to the United Kingdom from 17 September to 19 September 2025.'

King Charles III will once again host the Trumps at Windsor Castle, marking an unusual but not unprecedented departure from tradition. State visits are typically held at Buckingham Palace, but the London residence remains under renovation until 2027.

This visit makes Trump the first modern political figure to be invited for a second state visit by a British monarch—a move likely to spark discussion on both sides of the Atlantic.

A Royal Repeat with a Controversial Guest

Trump's first State Visit to the UK took place in June 2019, during Queen Elizabeth II's reign. That trip included a lavish banquet at Buckingham Palace attended by several senior royals including then-Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William and Kate Middleton.

The visit was met with widespread protests in central London, with many criticising Trump's policies on immigration, climate change, and women's rights. Even the then-Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, opposed allowing Trump to address Parliament.

Despite the backlash, Trump was effusive in his praise of the royal family and the UK. He later described the Queen as 'a fantastic woman' and called the visit 'a great honour.'

UK-US Relations: A Delicate Dance

Trump's return to power in 2025 has prompted cautious optimism and renewed scrutiny of the so-called 'special relationship' between Britain and the US. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who hand-delivered the King's invitation to Trump at the White House in February, has called the visit 'an important opportunity to reaffirm our shared democratic values.'

A palace aide noted: 'His Majesty has known President Trump for many years and looks forward to hosting him and the First Lady later this year.'

Still, the second visit raises eyebrows. Some observers point to the potential political optics for both leaders: Trump's invitation could be seen as a nod of legitimacy on the world stage, while Charles' decision to welcome him back may attract criticism from progressives in the UK.

What to Expect in September

The visit will follow a similar format to previous state occasions, with formal ceremonies, meetings with British officials, and likely a state dinner. Given Windsor Castle's quieter setting and improved security, it's expected the Palace aims to avoid the scale of protests seen in 2019.

This will also be the second state visit hosted at Windsor Castle in 2025. French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron were recently welcomed there in July.

As for the Trumps, the couple last attended a royal engagement in December 2019 during a NATO reception at Buckingham Palace.

Trump, now 79, praised the upcoming visit during the February press conference: 'We look forward to being there and honouring the King, honouring your country. Your country is a fantastic country, and it will be an honour to be there.'

With geopolitical tensions simmering and both countries navigating post-pandemic economic recovery, the second Trump state visit could set the tone for future UK-US relations. Whether it will be met with pomp, protest—or both—remains to be seen.