Donald Trump's second UK state visit: Here's what we know
Watch: Pomp, pageantry and protests as Trump gets the royal treatment in Windsor
- Published
On the second day of his UK state visit, US President Donald Trump joined Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at his country estate.
Trump paid tribute to what he called the "unbreakable bond" between the countries.
What was on Trump's agenda on Thursday?
Lady Starmer and Sir Keir welcomed Donald Trump to Chequers
After being hosted at Windsor Castle, the president said goodbye to King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Thursday morning.
He then traveled to the prime minister's country house Chequers, in Buckinghamshire. He was greeted by Sir Keir and his wife Lady Starmer, and a guard of honour.
The president and prime minister viewed the Sir Winston Churchill archives before holding a private meeting.
Speaking ahead of a reception with business leaders and Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Trump praised the US and UK's special relationship.
He described his second state visit as an "exquisite honour".
The two leaders confirmed that they have signed a new technology partnership, which Starmer said would see billions flowing "both ways of the Atlantic".
Earlier, the UK government said it had secured £150bn worth of US investment, which it hopes will create 7,600 jobs.
The vast majority - £90bn - will come from the US private equity firm Blackstone over the next decade, with £22bn coming from Microsoft and £5bn from Google.
Trump and Starmer held a joint press conference before the president began his journey home.
Melania Trump initially remained at Windsor Castle, where she toured the Royal Library and saw Queen Mary's Dolls' House, a famous miniature palace built in the 1920s.
She then met Chief Scout Dwayne Fields with Catherine, who is joint president of the Scout Association. They joined a meeting of young scouts for some arts and crafts and took part in a game featuring a giant parachute filled with balls.
What did Trump do on Tuesday and Wednesday?
On Wednesday, Trump and the first lady flew to Windsor by helicopter, where they were greeted by the Prince and Princess of Wales.
They were then formally welcomed by the King and Queen before joining them in a carriage procession through the Windsor estate.
A royal salute was fired in Windsor and at the Tower of London, and the King invited Trump to inspect the guard of honour.
After a private lunch with members of the Royal Family, the president visited St George's Chapel in Windsor and laid a wreath on the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II.
The president and the Royal party watched a flypast by the Red Arrows, although the aerial display was scaled back because of poor weather so did not feature UK and US F-35 military jets as planned.
On Wednesday evening, a traditional state banquet was held at the castle, attended by 160 guests including media mogul Rupert Murdoch and Apple boss Tim Cook.
Trump spoke warmly about the UK-US relationship, saying "the word special does not begin to do it justice." The King praised the US president for his "personal commitment" to finding solutions to world conflicts.
On Tuesday evening, the Trumps landed in the UK at Stansted Airport, where they were met by US Ambassador Warren Stephens and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.
The Viscount Hood, Lord-in-Waiting, welcomed them on behalf of the King.
The couple spent the night at the US ambassador's residence, Winfield House, in central London.
What vehicles and personnel did Trump bring to the UK?
During his July visit to Scotland, Trump's motorcade consisted of more than two dozen vehicles, flanked by police vehicles and ambulance crews
Accompanying Trump were US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, special envoy Steve Witkoff, chief of staff Susie Wiles and "other senior White House staff".
Trump arrived in the UK on his customised, high-spec Boeing 747-200B aeroplane known as Air Force One.
Once on the ground, the president travelled in Cadillac One - an enhanced limousine nicknamed "The Beast".
Two identical versions of the presidential limousine - as well as several other Secret Service vehicles - were flown over to the UK in military cargo planes in advance of Trump's arrival.
While Trump made some short journeys by limousine in the UK, most of his travelling was by air.
The president brought a Marine One helicopter with him which, like Air Force One, is not a specific aircraft but instead refers to any US Marine Corps aircraft carrying the president.
The president's security has been tightened in recent days following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at a university in Utah.
What is a state visit?
A state visit is a formal trip to the UK by the head of a country. They are usually arranged at the invitation of the monarch, acting on government advice.
As well as being grand occasions, the visits are used by governments to further Britain's interests.
The president was hosted for a first state visit by the late Queen Elizabeth II in June 2019, during his first term as president.
Traditionally, US presidents serving a second term are not offered a state visit. Instead, they are invited for tea or lunch with the monarch, as happened with former presidents Barack Obama and George W Bush.
However, in February Sir Keir handed Trump an invitation from King Charles during a White House meeting to discuss a UK-US trade deal. The prime minister said the invite was "truly historic" and "unprecedented".
What protests have taken place during Trump's state visit?
An image of Donald Trump and the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was projected on to the walls of Windsor Castle as the president arrived in the UK
Thousands of people gathered near the BBC's headquarters in London on Wednesday afternoon before marching towards Whitehall.
Some carried banners reading: "No to racism, no to Trump."
Others had smaller versions of the 20ft Trump baby blimp balloon which was carried through crowds during protests against the US president's first state visit in 2019.
The demonstration was organised by the Stop Trump UK coalition, a group of more than 50 campaign organisations, including climate, anti-racism and pro-Palestinian activists.
It previously called on the government to cancel the state visit, accusing the US president of "denying climate science" and "siding with war criminals - in Israel, Russia and beyond".
There were also some anti-Trump protesters among the crowds in Windsor on Wednesday.
Four men who were arrested after images of Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein were projected onto Windsor Castle have been bailed.
The footage appeared on Tuesday night as Trump touched down in the UK.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey had previously said he would boycott the ceremonial banquet for Trump to "send a message" over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Which other state visits has King Charles hosted?
French President Emmanuel Macron visited the UK in July
Since King Charles succeeded Queen Elizabeth in September 2022, he has hosted state visits from a number of international leaders and royals:
July 2025: French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte
December 2024: Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his wife Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani
June 2024: Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan
November 2023: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee.
He and Queen Camilla have carried out state visits to France, Italy, Germany, Kenya and Samoa.