Trump arrives at Windsor Castle, gets full royal treatment

President Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrived at Windsor Castle on Wednesday and were greeted by the royal family with an extra dose of British pomp for his second state visit.

After the Trumps disembarked Marine One, they were met by King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William and his wife, Catherine, and proceeded in a traditional carriage procession.

Beefeaters in red ceremonial dress lined up behind the white dais where Mr. Trump and Charles inspected the honor guard and the formation of soldiers in large black bearskin hats, scarlet tunics and black trousers.

Also, the Scots Guards in kilts, white boots and green tunics marched to the sound of a marching band and took their positions for the president’s and first lady’s arrival.

Upon their arrival, a military band played both the U.S. and British national anthems.

It is a rare second state visit for a U.S. president in the U.K., and historic for a president to have state visits with two British monarchs.

Mr. Trump also participated in a state visit with Queen Elizabeth II during his first term. 

Later, Mr. Trump will lay a wreath at Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb and attend a state banquet at Windsor Castle.

The visit will highlight and renew the special relationship between the U.S. and Britain. At the same time, Mr. Trump will recognize and celebrate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S.

While the visit is also expected to draw large protests in Britain, where roughly 3 in 5 Britons have a negative view of Mr. Trump, it also comes amid a growing conservative movement aligned with Mr. Trump.

The U.S. delegation to the U.K. includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, U.S. Ambassador to the U.K. Warren Stevens, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.

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 Chequers, the official country residence of the prime minister. Mr. Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will participate in a bilateral meeting and hold a joint press conference.