US President Donald Trump will make a full state visit to the United Kingdom later this year, following a formal invitation from King Charles III. 

Buckingham Palace has confirmed that a signed royal invitation, known as the Manu Regia, was delivered to the White House last week by officials from the British Embassy in Washington.

Although exact dates are yet to be announced, September has emerged as the most likely window for the visit. The trip will mark Trump’s second state visit to the UK, following his first in 2019 when he was hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Plans for the visit are underway, but no private meeting will take place between Trump and King Charles this summer. Scheduling conflicts—despite the King’s annual retreat to Scotland and Trump’s anticipated visit to his golf resort in Aberdeenshire—have ruled out an informal meeting before the official event.

“His Majesty has known President Trump for many years and looks forward to hosting him and the First Lady later this year,” a palace aide said.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has also played a role in the diplomatic engagement. During a visit to the White House in February, Starmer delivered a letter from King Charles to Trump, inviting him to discuss the upcoming visit at either Dumfries House or Balmoral—both in Scotland.

Despite traditional protocol, which usually withholds state visits from second-term US presidents, the UK government and palace appear to be making an exception. Trump, speaking in April, described the upcoming trip as a “second fest” and expressed his admiration for the royal family saying, “They’re going to do a second, as you know, a second fest… that’s what it is: a fest, and it’s beautiful, and it’s the first time it’s ever happened to one person. And the reason is we have two separate terms, and it’s an honour… I’m a friend of Charles, I have great respect for King Charles and the family, William, we have really just a great respect for the family.”

However, not all parties were initially aligned. According to The Times, Buckingham Palace had previously expressed concern over Trump’s rhetoric towards Canada, reportedly seeing it as an issue that complicated the timing of the invitation. A senior palace aide allegedly warned against offering a visit while the president was “impugning” the King’s sovereignty over Canada.

Despite such reports, suggestions that Starmer overruled the monarch to bring the visit forward have been dismissed. “That is untrue,” the prime minister’s spokesman said.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner confirmed the government’s support for the visit during a session in Parliament on Wednesday: “We are really pleased the US president is coming for a second state visit.”

With preparations now formally underway, Trump’s visit is set to be a historic moment—marking the first time a US president has received two full state visits from the UK monarchy.

Melissa Enoch

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