Summary

  1. Glitz in Windsor, diplomacy at Chequers: Trump's historic state visit comes to an endpublished at 19:27 BST 18 September

    Melania and Donald Trump, stood next to Starmer and his wife, they're looking up to the sky.Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

    US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania are on their way back to the White House, after a truly historic state visit.

    King Charles III and Trump both hailed the "special relationship" between the two countries.

    Where Wednesday was all about the glitz and glamour, Thursday was dominated by diplomacy.

    A packed itinerary - including a carriage procession, a Red Arrows flypast and a lavish state banquet at Windsor Castle - filled the first full day of their visit.

    Today it was off to Chequers, as their schedule focussed on politics, not pageantry. Talks between the two leaders turned to trade, defence and international conflict - here are five key takeaways.

    And away from the pomp, protests against Trump's visit took place in central London and outside Windsor Castle.

    We're ending our live coverage now, but you can keep up to date in our news story - as well as lots more across the BBC:

  2. Analysis

    Trump's royal treatment worked in Starmer's favourpublished at 19:10 BST 18 September

    Rob Watson
    Political correspondent

    Donald Trump and Melania Trump hold hands, next to them is Keir Starmer and Lady Starmer also holding hands. They are outside Chequers which has stone and brick exterior, they are facing the camera.Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

    For two days President Trump has been feted and honoured like no other visitor to these shores in recent years.

    Whether at Windsor Castle or Chequers, every effort made by king and government to charm the American leader.

    It seemed to work.

    The visit ended with only the gentlest of disagreement over differing approaches to Ukraine and Gaza and in the end the sensitive subjects of free speech and Jeffrey Epstein produced no new headlines.

    For Prime Minister Keir Starmer the highlight of the visit were promises of US investment.

    For President Trump no doubt the highlight was being treated like royalty by the real thing.

  3. Pomp, circumstance, diplomacy: Analysing Trump's state visitpublished at 19:02 BST 18 September

    Trump's visit to the UK has been closely followed, and analysed. Let's round up our correspondents' takes on a trip full of ceremony and diplomacy.

    The visit is a reminder of how the royals can put on a show like few others, Royal correspondent Sean Coughlan says.

    He adds that the UK government will hope that all the flattery and spectacle will have made Trump more receptive to tougher messages.

    Speaking of tougher messages, Chief political correspondent Henry Zeffman says some of the thorniest issues did not really crop up during talks between the PM and Trump - but number 10 can chalk this up as a success.

    And, Chief North America correspondent Gary O'Donoghue says Downing Street couldn't have hoped for the press conference to go better.

    North America editor Sarah Smith says Starmer does not appear to have won the ability to change the president’s mind.

    Political editor Chris Mason sums up the success of the trip, saying Starmer has managed to cement a working relationship with Trump but questions remain over whether the White House will budge.

    Media caption,

    'Was it worth it?' - BBC correspondents assess Trump's state visit

  4. Analysis

    Starmer can disagree with Trump, but won't change his mindpublished at 18:51 BST 18 September

    Sarah Smith
    North America editor

    The free flowing joint news conference gave us the chance to explore in public what the president and PM are thinking on a wide range of issues.

    The opportunity to chat, behind the scenes, with Donald Trump’s most senior staff can be even more revealing.

    The two leaders were delighted to announce the tech partnership worth £250 billion.

    But just before the news conference began, US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick told me it could have been ten times that amount if the UK would get rid of the digital services tax and change many of the regulations that, he thinks, stifle investment in Britain.

    Donald Trump’s Chief of Staff Susie Wiles said that the highlight of the trip for the president was undoubtedly the state banquet at Windsor castle.

    But when I asked her how much difference this visit would make to Britain’s ability to influence US policy in the Middle East or in Ukraine – she said none at all.

    Saying that President Trump will always do what’s right for America regardless of what his friends think.

    Starmer appears to have earned the right to respectfully disagree with Donald Trump without paying a diplomatic penalty.

    But he does not appear to have won the ability to change the president’s mind.

  5. The state visit - at a glancepublished at 18:42 BST 18 September

    It's been a whirlwind state visit for US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania.

    We've taken a brief look at some of the big moments of Trump's historic trip to the UK.

    Day One

    Air Force One landed at London's Stansted Airport on Tuesday night. Trump was greeted by Viscount Hood, Lord-in-Waiting, on behalf of King Charles III.

    Melania, Trump and Viscount Hood, Lord-in-Waiting, walking along the tarmac as troops salute in the background.Image source, PA Media

    Day Two

    They then flew to Windsor Castle on Wednesday morning and were greeted by the Prince and Princess of Wales.

    The King and Queen Camilla welcomed the president and first lady at the entrance, marked by a handshake.

    A day of pageantry began with a carriage ride, before an inspection of troops on a picture-perfect lawn.

    The ornate carriage being drawn by horses and troops lining the way. You can see Donald Trump sitting inside.Image source, UK MOD HANDOUT

    Next was a tour of St George's Chapel, where Trump showed great interest, exclaiming "what a place". He also paid his respects to Queen Elizabeth II, and placed a wreath on her tomb.

    This sombre moment was followed by a grand state banquet with 160 guests. Trump and King Charles III spoke of the "special relationship" between the UK and US.

    Queen Camilla, wearing a blue dress and tiara, The king and Trump in banquet attire, and Melania Trump is wearing a bright yellow, long sleeved dressImage source, Reuters

    Day Three

    That brings us to today, which saw the president hold talks with PM Keir Starmer at Chequers.

    They discussed trade, defence, Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza. A new tech agreement was signed and a joint news conference held - here are the key takeaways.

    Trump and Starmer in suits, pointing fingers away from them.Image source, EPA

    Meanwhile, Melania Trump spent time with Catherine, Princess of Wales, and 20 Squirrel Scouts - the youngest group in the Scout Association.

    Kate and Melania playing with young children and laugingImage source, Reuters

    The Trumps departed Chequers and took a short helicopter ride to Air Force One. They flew out of Stanstead just before 18:00 local time.

    Trump and Melania Trump leaving helicopter, military men next to them.Image source, Reuters
  6. BBC Verify

    Did President Trump violate royal protocol during his visit?published at 18:20 BST 18 September

    Trump walking slightly ahead of King Charles at Windsor Castle, as Charles gestures him to do soImage source, Reuters

    By Richard Irvine-Brown and Katerina Karelli

    A lot has been made on social media of President Trump touching King Charles on the back, and Prince William on the arm, during his visit, and for walking ahead of the King.

    But, as former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond tells us, royal protocol isn't "something that's written down like the constitution - it's flexible".

    Some posts we've seen criticising the president have had 5m views.

    But walking ahead is fine if the monarch invites a guest to do so - and King Charles did guide President Trump ahead of him, as he has done previously for other world leaders.

    With physical contact, according to the official Royal Family website , externalthere are “no obligatory codes” but some people may use “traditional forms” of greeting senior royals. That could be a handshake or a curtsy.

    As the BBC’s royal correspondent Daniela Relph explains: “Palace officials knew Trump was a president who did his own thing, wanted to feel special, and if things were unusual, nobody was going to worry."

  7. Analysis

    Starmer cements Trump relationship, but questions over White House stance remainpublished at 18:13 BST 18 September

    Chris Mason
    Political editor

    Trump and Starmer stood behind podiums, Trump holds Starmer's back.Image source, EPA

    For more than a century, a country house in the Chiltern hills of Buckinghamshire has been a retreat for the prime minister of the day.

    Churchill, Thatcher, Gorbachev, Clinton – history’s cast list among those to host here and land here at Chequers.

    But perhaps no visitor here has ever been as gustily unpredictable as today’s.

    I have witnessed first hand – at least in public – the relationship between these two men from their first meeting a year ago in New York to now.

    Keir Starmer has managed to cement a working relationship of mutual warmth and respect – and in so doing managed to tame the president’s more erratic tendencies when they appear together in front of the cameras.

    Their instincts, communication styles and politics are wildly different, but Donald Trump’s disagreements with Starmer today were somehow channelled past him, rather than at him.

    This state visit has provided the UK with invaluable face time with the president – and so the opportunity to both set out the UK’s position and attempt to persuade.

    The prime minister has been successful in the former, but it’s more of an open question on the latter – with little evidence of the White House’s positions budging.

  8. Trump's historic second state visit endspublished at 17:55 BST 18 September

    Matt Spivey
    Live page editor

    Trump and Melania gesture as they board Air Force One.Image source, Reuters

    As Donald Trump and First Lady Melania depart London Stansted Airport on Air Force One, their state visit officially comes to an end.

    The historic visit brought pomp and circumstance, mixed with diplomacy and an aptly named 'Transatlantic cocktail' served at last night's state banquet.

    The presidential plane has left the runway and begins its journey back to the US.

    But we'll continue to bring you the latest developments and analysis from our correspondents, as they unpack exactly what made up this "Transatlantic cocktail" of a visit.

    Media caption,

    President and first lady board Air Force One

  9. President and first lady board Air Force Onepublished at 17:44 BST 18 September
    Breaking

    Melania and Donald Trump boarding airplane.Image source, BBC POOL
    U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump gesture as they board Air Force One.Image source, Reuters
  10. Donald and Melania Trump leave Marine Onepublished at 17:43 BST 18 September

    Trump and Melania on airport runway.Image source, BBC POOL
    Trump and Melania holding hands walking on runway.Image source, Reuters
  11. Marine One arrives at Stansted Airportpublished at 17:39 BST 18 September

    Marine One.Image source, BBC POOL

    Marine One has landed, and the US president is at Stansted Airport in London.

    He and the first lady will now board Air Force One to cross the Atlantic, and head back to the US.

    You can follow along by clicking Watch live at the top of this page.

  12. Air Force One awaiting Trump's arrivalpublished at 17:32 BST 18 September

    Air Force One at London Stansted Airport.Image source, BBC POOL

    We're waiting for the Trumps to arrive on Marine One into London Stansted Airport.

    There, Air Force One - the official aircraft of the US president - is waiting to take them back to the States.

    Here's a closer look at the aircraft:

    Image and technical diagram of Air Force One, a customised Boeing 747-200B aircraft, showing exterior features like mid-air refuelling capability and EMP-resistant electronics. The main deck includes the President's suite with office and gym, a medical facility, a conference and dining room, and a press section. The top deck features a crew lounge, flight deck, and communication centre. The aircraft accommodates 26 crew members and 70 passengers.
  13. Watch: Moment president and first lady board Marine Onepublished at 17:27 BST 18 September

    Donald and Melania Trump bid farewell to Chequers as they boarded Marine One to the sound of bagpipes.

    Here's the moment they began the first leg of their journey back to the White House:

    Media caption,

    Trump and Melania depart Chequers

  14. BBC Verify

    Did Trump know Lord Mandelson?published at 17:17 BST 18 September

    By Tom Edgington and Kevin Nguyen

    Towards the end of the press conference, Trump was asked about Lord Mandelson - who was sacked as UK ambassador to the US following revelations about his friendship with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

    Trump said “I don’t know him actually”, before inviting Keir Starmer to comment.

    But there are photos of Trump and Mandelson together, including in the Oval Office on 8 May this year at the announcement of the US-UK trade agreement.

    Lord Mandelson recalled this meeting with Trump in an interview with Newsnight, saying:

    “When I first walked into the Oval room, he [Trump] said ‘God, you’re a good-looking fellow, aren’t you”.

    Trump and Mandelson.Image source, Reuters

    On 9 September - two days before Lord Mandelson was fired - both were together in the White House alongside Scottish National Party leader John Swinney who published the photos of their meeting., external

    According to the Times, external, the pair “met several times” during Mandelson’s tenure as ambassador.

  15. Analysis

    Trump pivots Epstein questionpublished at 17:14 BST 18 September

    Bernd Debusmann Jr
    Reporting from Washington DC

    For months now, Donald Trump and his administration have been doing everything they can to avoid further questions regarding Jeffrey Epstein - with the president often swift to dismiss it as a "dead issue" and snapping back at reporters who dare ask about it.

    The fact that the UK's ambassador to Washington, Lord Peter Mandelson, was felled by that very issue created a situation of potential awkwardness when Trump arrived in the UK.

    A worst case scenario for both men would have been to have a public disagreement on the issue, particularly if Trump had disagreed with the decision to remove Mandelson from his post.

    Trump rather skilfully avoided this by claiming he does not know Mandelson, and passing the question onto Starmer.

    His claim to not know Mandelson, however, rings hollow. The former ambassador met with him in the Oval Office as recently as 9 September - just two days before his dismissal.

    And during Starmer's visit to the White House in May, Trump and Mandelson stood close together, with Trump praising his "beautiful accent".

    In our next post, we'll bring you the latest from BBC Verify, who have looked into whether Trump knew Lord Mandelson.

  16. Analysis

    Downing Street couldn't have hoped for that to go any betterpublished at 17:06 BST 18 September

    Gary O'Donoghue
    Chief North America correspondent

    If I was Downing Street, I’d be cracking open a champagne right now.

    You couldn’t have hoped for that to go any better.

    Donald Trump was in one of those kinds of reflective moods. It’s obviously been a long visit and that has taken a toll to some degree.

    There were opportunities for fireworks there. People laid some bait in terms of freedom of speech a couple of times. That wasn’t taken in terms of attacking the UK.

    When it came to the recognition of Palestine, all that was said by Trump what “we disagree – it’s one of the few things we disagree on.” And then, he stopped.

  17. Helicopter takes off as president begins first leg of journey homepublished at 16:58 BST 18 September

    The Marine One helicopter takes off from the lawn outside Chequers.

    The US president and first lady are now on the first leg of their journey back home, after their brief state visit to the UK.

    Marine One takes off from the lawn near ChequersImage source, Pool
  18. Trumps board Marine One helicopterpublished at 16:51 BST 18 September

    Donald and Melania Trump walk towards Marine One helicopterImage source, Pool

    Donald and Melania Trump enter one in a long convoy of black vehicles.

    They drive the short distance to Marine One in convoy, before stepping out and boarding the helicopter. The US president doesn't offer any comments as he leaves.

    Annotated image of the US President's Marine One helicopter, manufactured by Sikorsky. The helicopter (side-on facing right) is painted green and white with the presidential livery and United States of America written on the side. It measures 17 meters (56 feet) in length. The helicopter is equipped with advanced security features including missile defence systems, radar jamming technology, and electronics hardened against electromagnetic pulses from nuclear blasts. It includes enhanced satellite communication systems and typically flies in formation with identical decoy helicopters to obscure the President's exact location. Used when motorcade travel is impractical.
  19. Trump and first lady leave Chequerspublished at 16:49 BST 18 September
    Breaking

    Left to right: Donald Trump, Melania Trump, Keir Starmer, Victoria TrumpImage source, Reuters

    Donald Trump and Keir Starmer have just stepped outside the Chequers door as the US president and first lady get ready to leave.

    You can watch live at the top of the page.

  20. Leaders questioned on Charlie Kirk, Jimmy Kimmel and Peter Mandelsonpublished at 16:43 BST 18 September

    Tiffany Wertheimer
    Live reporter

    Donald Trump and Charlie Kirk shaking handsImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Charlie Kirk was a hugely influential figure during Donald Trump's second election campaign, and also in the White House, especially among young Republicans

    Also mentioned several times during the news conference was the killing of Charlie Kirk.

    Kirk, 31, a controversial right-wing activist, was shot dead at an event in Utah last week.

    Trump said Kirk was "heinously assassinated for speaking his mind", adding that he thought Kirk had a "good shot at being president" one day.

    When questioned about US talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, who has been suspended indefinitely over remarks he made about Kirk, Trump claimed he was fired "because he had bad ratings" and due to a "lack of talent".

    And what about "the elephant in the room" - Lord Mandelson?

    Trump said he never knew Mandelson, who last week was sacked as the UK's ambassador to the US when emails emerged showing the former cabinet minister was much closer to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein than previously known.

    Starmer repeated that he fired Mandelson once he was told about those emails last week.