Donald Trump embarked on an unprecedented second state visit to the United Kingdom, hosted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle, a trip marked by significant pomp, intricate protocol, and underlying controversies. This historic visit, following his first in 2019, underscored the enduring, albeit sometimes complex, relationship between the two nations.

The visit commenced with an arrival at Windsor Castle on September 17, 2025, where President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were initially greeted by Prince William and Princess Kate in the Walled Garden. The arrival itself saw a minor hitch, with Marine One landing at 12:14 pm, 19 minutes later than the scheduled 11:55 am, and 12 minutes after King Charles and Queen Camilla had arrived. Upon meeting Princess Kate, Trump reportedly complimented her, saying, "You're beautiful, so beautiful." Following the initial greetings, the Trumps joined the King and Queen for a carriage procession to the castle.

The visit quickly brought royal protocol into focus. During the inspection of the Guard of Honour, President Trump was observed walking ahead of King Charles, echoing a similar incident with Queen Elizabeth II in 2019. However, Palace sources quickly clarified that the King had explicitly invited Trump to walk in front of him, a gesture extended to other world leaders recently. Body language experts, like Judi James, noted Trump's tactile approach, frequently placing a hand on Charles's arm or back, a display she interpreted as "upgrade" touches signifying a heightened relationship and mutual respect. The King, in turn, has adopted a more relaxed stance on public meetings, even being seen engaging in a fist bump with the West Indies cricket team and comfortably interacting with President Biden in a similar fashion in 2023. The official royal website also states there are "no obligatory codes of behaviour," only courtesy, suggesting an evolving approach to royal etiquette.

A series of ceremonial events filled the day. Trump and Melania paid their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II by laying a wreath at her tomb in St George's Chapel, an event conducted privately. They later heard a performance from young choristers. Subsequently, the presidential party, joined by King Charles and Queen Camilla, and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Lady Starmer, viewed a Beating Retreat military ceremony on the East Lawn of Windsor Castle. This ceremony, involving around 200 British and American musicians, was a first for a US state visit. A planned flypast by UK and US F-35 fighter jets was scaled back due to poor weather, though the Red Arrows still performed.

The day culminated in a lavish state banquet at St George's Hall, Windsor Castle, attended by 160 guests. The guest list included members of the Royal Family such as the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duchess of Gloucester, and Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, alongside a US delegation featuring figures like Apple CEO Tim Cook and OpenAI's Sam Altman. Melania Trump made headlines in a striking yellow gown with a pink belt, while Queen Camilla wore a regal navy gown with crown jewels. The menu for the evening featured Hampshire watercress panna cotta, organic Norfolk chicken ballotine, and vanilla ice bombe with Kentish raspberry sorbet. A 'Transatlantic Whisky Sour' cocktail was also on offer. Both King Charles and President Trump delivered speeches and proposed toasts. The musical playlist for the dinner included some of Donald Trump's favorite rally songs, such as 'Nessun Dorma' and 'Tiny Dancer'.

The exchange of gifts reflected the diplomatic nature of the visit. King Charles and Queen Camilla presented President Trump with the Union Flag that flew over Buckingham Palace on the day of his inauguration, along with a bespoke, hand-bound leather volume celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Melania Trump received a silver and enamel bowl by Northern Irish artist Cara Murphy and a personalized Anya Hindmarch handbag. In return, the Trumps gifted King Charles a replica of a President Eisenhower Sword, symbolizing profound respect and the historical partnership critical to winning World War II.

Despite the pageantry, the visit was met with significant protests. Thousands gathered in London and Windsor under the banner 'Trump Not Welcome,' with some protesters carrying 'Trump baby blimps.' In Windsor, four individuals were arrested after images of Donald Trump, Prince Andrew, and Jeffrey Epstein were projected onto Windsor Castle. London Mayor Sadiq Khan also reignited his feud with Trump, criticizing him and highlighting a record number of Americans moving to the UK to escape his presidency. Politically, the visit saw discussions with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, although a much-anticipated trade deal on steel tariffs faced a setback. The visit also occurred amidst a 'Mandelson crisis' engulfing the UK government, following the sacking of the US ambassador.

Ultimately, Donald Trump's second state visit was a complex tapestry of diplomatic ceremony, evolving royal traditions, and public dissent, showcasing the unique position of an American president in the British public eye and the intricacies of international relations.