President Trump and first lady Melania Trump will travel to Britain on Tuesday for a state visit, making him the first U.S. president to receive the honor on two occasions.
Mr. Trump also participated in a state visit with Queen Elizabeth II during his first term. Though other presidents have visited Britain on multiple occasions, none have had two full-blown state visits.
In February, when Prime Minister Keir Starmer presented King Charles III’s invitation to a second state visit, Mr. Starmer called it truly historic and unprecedented.
During the visit, Mr. Trump will lay a wreath at Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb and attend a state banquet at Windsor Castle.
Mr. Trump plans to use the visit to highlight and renew the special relationship between the U.S. and Britain. At the same time, the visit will recognize and celebrate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S.
The visit is also expected to draw large protests in Britain, where roughly 3 in 5 Britons have a negative view of Mr. Trump.
The U.S. delegation also will include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, British Ambassador Warren Stevens, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.
Senior U.S. officials said this visit allows the president to strengthen ties with a particularly close partner and ally, while advancing mutual economic and foreign policy interests.
“Our tradition of economic cooperation will continue with a historic trade agreement, which will feature three pillars,” one official said.
The first pillar, the official said, will highlight a new science and technology partnership that will include billions of dollars in new investment, strengthening the tech sectors of both countries and new growth.
The second pillar is mutual cooperation in civil nuclear power research, investment and development.
The third pillar is advances in defense technology cooperation.
“As part of our tradition of economic cooperation, we will also explore how the deep actions between our leading financial hubs can be maintained into the future,” the official said.
On Wednesday, the president and first lady will arrive at Windsor Castle before Charles and Queen Camilla formally welcome them.
They will have lunch in the State Dining Room, and in the afternoon, the president and first lady will visit St. George’s Chapel to privately lay a wreath on the queen’s tomb.
Later, Mr. Trump will join the king, queen, the prime minister and British military families to view a Beating Retreat ceremony on the East Lawn of Windsor Castle. The traditional military ceremony includes military music and precision drills.
In the evening, the king and queen will host a state banquet for the president and first lady. Mr. Trump and Charles are scheduled to deliver remarks.
On Thursday, the president will visit the Churchill Archives Center at Chequers, the official country residence of the prime minister. At Chequers, Mr. Trump and Mr. Starmer will participate in a bilateral meeting.
Mr. Starmer and Mr. Trump are also expected to attend a business reception, hosted by the Chancellor at Chequers, while Mrs. Trump will tour Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House and the Royal Library at Windsor Castle.
• Kerry Picket can be reached at kpicket@washingtontimes.com.
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