The visit opened with a dramatic arrival: three helicopters carrying the US president and his entourage touched down in the walled garden of Victoria House on the Windsor estate, a site never before used as a landing pad. Waiting to receive him were the Prince and Princess of Wales, who led the royal welcome before escorting Trump to King Charles and Queen Camilla.
In a light moment, Prince William joked to Trump, “This is my father,” as the King stepped forward to greet his guest. The president was seen complimenting the Princess of Wales, who wore a maroon Emilia Wickstead dress, calling her “beautiful.”
What followed was a moment not witnessed in over a century. Trump joined the King in the Irish State Coach for a ten-minute horse-drawn procession through the Windsor grounds the first such ride by a US president with a British monarch since Woodrow Wilson and George V in 1918. Melania Trump, in a cream outfit, rode with Queen Camilla in the Scottish State Coach.
The Queen, absent from the Duchess of Kent’s funeral the day before due to sinusitis, appeared in good health. Wearing sapphire blue by Fiona Clare with a Philip Treacy hat, she participated fully in the day’s schedule.
Troops, Pageantry and Symbolism
The royal pageantry reached full force as the carriages swept into the quadrangle at Windsor Castle. An “extra large” guard of honour composed of the Grenadier, Coldstream and Scots Guards stood ready, while 1,500 troops and 80 mounted soldiers added grandeur. The US and UK national anthems played as the King invited Trump to walk ahead of him during the inspection a notable gesture after past controversies over protocol.
The president, fascinated by the ceremony, was seen thanking the guards repeatedly. The monarch teased him with a laugh: “Watch the sword.”
Inside the castle, the Trumps joined six members of the royal family the King, Queen, Prince and Princess of Wales, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester
for a private lunch. William and Kate later met the couple privately in what palace officials described as a “warm and friendly” encounter.
Trump’s Requests and Personal Touches
In keeping with Trump’s personal flair, several elements of the visit bore his stamp. The royal archives were opened to display Georgian Papers, including maps of the American Revolution, at the president’s request. “Wow, that’s great,” he said as he studied the documents.
A lighter touch came in the Green Drawing Room, where Trump admired a penguin-shaped cocktail shaker once owned by the Queen Mother. There was also poignancy: the Trumps paid respects at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II, with the president describing the moment as “a great honour.”
Military Display and Red Arrows Finale
The day concluded with an unprecedented “beating retreat” on the East Lawn, featuring 200 service personnel, a first for a state visit. Trump, who has often spoken of his love for military parades, watched alongside the King, Queen, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Lady Starmer.
A planned joint flypast of RAF and US Air Force F-35 jets was cancelled due to cloudy skies. Instead, the Red Arrows streaked across the Windsor sky in red, white and blue the only public spectacle of the visit.
Public Response
Despite extensive security, protests were muted. A handful of demonstrators held placards branding Trump a “dictator” and “war monger.” Others carried Palestinian flags or “MAGA” hats. One retiree, Beth Cooksey, said: “Shame on the government. He shouldn’t be here.”
But there were supporters too. Charlene Bryan, a London teacher, waved in support: “I’ve come here to support Donald Trump because I think he wants the best for the UK.”
As the state banquet awaited, the technicolour ceremony had already cemented the visit as one of the most visually striking and politically symbolic in recent royal history.
