When is Donald Trump's state visit to the UK and where will he go?
President Trump met King Charles, then Prince of Wales, during his 2019 state visit
- Published
US President Donald Trump will make an unprecedented second state visit to the UK in September.
Trump, who will be accompanied by his wife Melania, was hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II in June 2019.
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 with lots of pageantry, governments use the visits to further Britain's interests.
Traditionally, US presidents serving a second term - such as Trump - 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 Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer handed Trump an invitation from King Charles III, during a White House meeting to discuss a UK-US trade deal. Sir Keir said the invite was "truly historic" and "unprecedented".
Trump said it was a "great, great honour".
When is Donald Trump's state visit to the UK and where will he stay?
Buckingham Palace announced that Donald and Melania Trump had accepted an invitation to pay a state visit to the UK between Wednesday 17 September and Friday 19 September.
King Charles will host Trump at Windsor Castle because Buckingham Palace is still undergoing significant renovations.
The trip comes two months after the president spent four days in Scotland, where he met politicians and visited his golf courses.
What will Trump do during the state visit?
A full programme of events has not yet been announced but, like all state visits, it will include a full ceremonial welcome. A state banquet will be held in St George's Hall in Windsor Castle.
State visits are usually attended by a full turn out of senior royals, such as the King and Queen and Prince and Princess of Wales.
However, Trump's programme is not expected to feature public events. As in 2019, it is thought he will mostly travel by helicopter.
The visit is scheduled to begin the day after the House of Commons breaks up for the annual party conference season.
That means there is no possibility of a joint address to both Houses of Parliament as only the Lords will be in session.
What vehicles and personnel will President Trump bring to the UK?
During his July visit to Scotland, President Trump's motorcade consisted of more than two dozen vehicles, flanked by Police vehicles and ambulance crews
Final details about the equipment and personnel accompanying President Trump in September have yet to be confirmed.
Trump arrived in the UK for his 2019 state visit on the customised Boeing 747-200B aeroplane known as Air Force One, external.
The presidential motorcade - including two identical limousines nicknamed The Beast and other security and communications vehicles - was flown in on US Air Force transport aircraft.
During the 2019 visit more than 6,300 police officers were deployed at a cost to London's Metropolitan Police of £3.4m.
Are protests expected during Trump's state visit?
The Stop Trump coalition is planning a "Trump Not Welcome" demonstration in London on Wednesday 17 September.
It has called on the government to cancel the visit, accusing the US President of "denying climate science" and "siding with war criminals - in Israel, Russia and beyond".
The group organised protests in Aberdeen and Edinburgh during Trump's recent visit. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the two cities.
Trump was also booed by protesters who gathered along the perimeter of his Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire, and a paraglider flew over the resort hotel with a banner criticising his presidency.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey 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: 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 Australia.