Summary

  1. Farage: Mandelson sacking hangs over Trump-Starmer meetingpublished at 07:41 BST 17 September

    Nigel Farage speaking to the press wearing a suit with a red and silver checkered tie.Image source, Getty Images

    Starmer's dismissal of his US ambassador Peter Mandelson means his talks with Trump are "not going to be all straightforward" over the next two days, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has said.

    Speaking to Sky News in Australia, Farage says Trump and Starmer appeared to be getting on "reasonably well".

    But he says the PM would now be "on the ropes" after emails surfaced between Lord Mandelson and the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

    Earlier this week, Starmer said he would "never" have appointed Mandelson to the US post if he knew the full details of the Epstein relationship.

  2. Welsh first minister declines state banquet invitepublished at 07:39 BST 17 September

    Gareth Lewis
    BBC Wales political editor

    Eluned Morgan, wearing a pink jacket, speaks from a podium with a 'Welsh Labour' sign behind her.Image source, PA Media

    Let's now turn to some political reaction to Trump's state visit this morning.

    One of those who won't be attending the state banquet for Trump tonight is Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan, who has turned down the King's invitation to attend the event at Windsor Castle.

    The Welsh government cited Morgan's wish to support colleagues at an "incredibly difficult time" after the recent death of Hefin David, Caerphilly member of the Senedd.

    Morgan wrote to the King to "thank him for his gracious invite" but felt "her place is here with colleagues as she continues to support them during this incredibly difficult time", the Welsh government said.

    Senior Welsh Conservatives criticised her absence, saying her "no show" exposed political turmoil in Welsh Labour and "weakness" for not representing the nation at a major state event.

    Here's the full story.

  3. In a rainy Windsor, Trump's set to receive the full royal VIP treatmentpublished at 07:22 BST 17 September

    Helena Wilkinson
    Reporting from Windsor Castle

    A wall of Windsor Castle looms behind trees under a dark blue sky.

    Good morning from the grounds of Windsor Castle.

    I've got a view of the Round Tower behind me. It's been raining on and off so far this morning.

    Windsor Castle is used to hosting historic events and today it'll be the focus for another big one.

    Everything is set for President Trump's arrival later. He and the US first lady will be getting the full royal VIP treatment.

    There are American flags lining the street outside the castle, but Trump probably won't see much of that because everything today is being kept tightly within the castle walls.

  4. Planning to drive around Windsor? Beware of road closurespublished at 07:16 BST 17 September

    Police hold security checks at Windsor Castle in LondonImage source, Getty Images

    Trump and first lady will be staying at Windsor Castle from Wednesday to Thursday - the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead has warned there may be some road closures during this period.

    The following roads will be affected today:

    • A308 Osborne Road
    • A308 Frances Road
    • A308 Kings Road Roundabout
    • A308 Albert Road
    • A322 Kings Road from junction with Bolton Road
    • St Leonards Road from Bolton Road Roundabout

    Until Thursday 18 September:

    • The Thames Path between Victoria Bridge and Albert Bridge will be closed

    Until Friday 19 September:

    • The River Thames between Old Windsor Lock and Windsor and Eton Footbridge will be closed on multiple unspecified occasions
    • Castle Hill road will be closed
  5. A look at Windsor Castle's groundspublished at 07:07 BST 17 September

    President Trump and First Lady Melania may have arrived in the UK last night, but their state visit officially begins today.

    Later this morning, the Prince and Princess of Wales will greet the president and his wife, who will be staying at Windsor Castle tonight and tomorrow.

    The Trumps will then meet King Charles, before being treated to a flypast and state banquet. The bulk of the 2019 state visit was held at Buckingham Palace, so this one will have quite a different feel.

    Windsor, the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world, was founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century - 40 monarchs have lived there since. Here's a look at its grounds:

    Aerial photo of Windsor Castle with an inset map locating it in relation to London. The image highlights areas of the castle that will be visited by Trump and Melania like the Quadrangle, the East Lawn, the State Apartments, St George's Chapel and Queen Mary's Dolls' House.
  6. What BBC correspondents will be looking out for todaypublished at 06:49 BST 17 September

    A close up photo of Donald Trump wearing a dark blue suit and a red tie with US flag pin on his collarImage source, Getty Images

    Earlier on the BBC's Global News Podcast, host Celia Hatton asked four BBC journalists what they would be looking out for in the next couple of days.

    Political correspondent Rob Watson says he'll keep a close eye on Trump's news conference - and whether Trump will be asked about Jeffrey Epstein.

    Former senior North America correspondent John Sudworth says "the big thing is results" - what the UK will get for rolling out the red carpet for Trump.

    Royal correspondent Charlotte Gallagher meanwhile says she will watch out for Trump's speech and body language during the state banquet for indications on how the visit is going.

    Security correspondent Frank Gardner says security arrangements for the president would be his top priority.

    Listen to the full podcast here.

  7. Four arrested over Trump-Epstein projection on Windsor Castlepublished at 06:33 BST 17 September

    Media caption,

    Watch: Epstein-Trump images projected onto the walls of Windsor Castle

    Police have arrested four people on suspicion of malicious communications after images of the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein alongside Donald Trump were projected on the walls of Windsor Castle.

    The footage appeared on Tuesday night as Trump touched down in London.

    "We take any unauthorised activity around Windsor Castle extremely seriously," Thames Valley Police Chief Superintendent Felicity Parker said in a statement.

    Windsor Castle is where King Charles will host the president and First Lady Melania Trump.

    Earlier this month, a US congressional panel released a birthday book prepared for Epstein back in 2003 - with one of the entries bearing a signature resembling Donald Trump's. The US president - who is not accused of any legal wrongdoing in connection with Epstein's case - has denied writing that entry.

  8. Can Trump escape the Epstein and Mandelson questions?published at 06:17 BST 17 September

    Bernd Debusmann Jr
    Reporting from the White House

    A man bikes past a poster of Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein at a bus stop in LondonImage source, Reuters

    For the last several weeks, Donald Trump and the White House have tried, as much as they can, to move on from questions regarding his ties with Jeffrey Epstein, repeatedly dismissing it as a "dead issue".

    That became much more complicated last week when closer than previously disclosed ties with Epstein led to the sacking of the UK's ambassador in Washington, Lord Peter Mandelson.

    Both men were, after all, part of the same infamous "birthday book" of wishes given to Epstein in 2003 - even though they are not accused of any legal wrongdoing in connection with Epstein's case. The publication of that book last week gave new ammunition to Trump's critics, and reinvogorated members of the MAGA base who still want more details and disclosures.

    Trump and the White House has so far been tight-lipped about Mandelson's sacking, offering nothing in the way of reaction or commentary.

    On Monday morning, for example, senior US officials quickly shot down questions about Mandelson, referring them to their British counterparts.

    It will be much more difficult to escape difficult and awkward questions during any question-and-answer sessions that take place on the trip, particularly among the British press for whom Mandelson's sacking and Epstein ties was a much bigger story than for those in the US.

  9. Trump's first UK state visit in 2019 - in picturespublished at 05:58 BST 17 September

    In 2019, during his first term in the White House, Trump embarked on a three-day UK state visit, joined by his wife, First Lady Melania Trump.

    He was hosted by Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away three years later.

    Let's take a look at some of the photos during that visit:

    Donald Trump and Melania Trump on the steps of Air Force One, Trump is waving to the cameraImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    After landing at Stansted Airport, Trump and Melania appeared on the steps of Air Force One

    Queen Elizabeth II greets President Trump at Buckingham Palace. The pair are shaking handsImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    He was then greeted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace

    Trump inspects an honour guard during the welcome ceremonyImage source, AFP
    Image caption,

    The president was welcomed with a ceremony, which included a guard of honour

    Queen Elizabeth II, Trump and the First Lady look down at a book of artImage source, AFP
    Image caption,

    During the visit, Trump and the first lady were shown items from the Royal Collection - the Royal Family's collection of art - in the palace's picture gallery

    Donald and Melania Trump stand next to King Charles, who is speaking to the group, and Queen CamillaImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    The president and first lady also spent time with the then-Duke and Duchess of Cornwall at Clarence House, ahead of a state banquet at Buckingham Palace

    Trump is standing up holding a folder and speaking while the Queen is sitting down and listeningImage source, AFP
    Image caption,

    During a lavish state banquet at the palace, Trump described the late Queen as a "great, great woman"

  10. Trump hails 'very good' relationship with UKpublished at 05:40 BST 17 September

    Sean Coughlan
    Royal correspondent

    Donald and Melania Trump stand at the bottom of the stairs to Air Force One. In the foreground, soldiers stand in line to greet them.Image source, PA Media

    President Donald Trump has arrived in the UK for his historic second state visit, which will see a crowded mix of royal pageantry, trade talks and international politics.

    Before making the trip from the US on Air Force One, Trump sent positive signals, describing the visit as an honour and saying: "My relationship is very good with the UK."

    "They want to see if they can refine the trade deal a little bit… I'm into helping them," said Trump, with a multi-billion US technology investment deal being announced as the president's visit got underway.

    But Trump said the main purpose of the visit was to see "my friend" King Charles: "He represents the country so well, such an elegant gentleman."

    A key message from the UK government will be to encourage the United States to maintain its commitment to Nato and to support Ukraine and there will be a much bigger than usual military line-up for the state visit.

    Read Sean's full article here.

  11. Analysis

    In the US, domestic events overshadow Trump's UK state visitpublished at 05:19 BST 17 September

    Bernd Debusmann Jr
    Reporting from the White House

    Donald Trump in a purple tieImage source, Getty Images

    For Donald Trump, the state visit to the UK - his second - is something of a victory.

    He was, after all, invited directly by King Charles, and is becoming the first US president to receive an unprecedented second state visit invitation. Trump has long spoke of his admiration for the Royal Family, and for British culture as a whole.

    "That's a great honour," Trump said alongside Keir Starmer in the Oval Office earlier this year. "It's never happened before."

    But while Americans are likely to be fascinated by the pomp and circumstance of the visit, domestic developments in the US have largely overshadowed news of the impending state visit.

    Above all, there's still the ongoing aftermath of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, as well as the subsequent investigation.

    The death of Kirk - a key Trump ally and personal friend of many in the administration - has starkly highlighted the political divide in this country, and left many wondering what's next.

    Trump, and others in his orbit, have laid the blame squarely on "the left".

    Some have vowed to take action. Powerful White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, for example, said that the administration would "dismantle and take on the radical left organizations in this country that are fomenting violence."

    Many Americans will be tuning into the visit to hear what Trump has to say about his plans - or whether he will take the opportunity to deliver remarks that could bring both sides of the political spectrum together.

  12. Trump to meet King in Windsor Castle on first full day of state visitpublished at 04:58 BST 17 September

    Melania Trump and Donald Trump walking down from Air Force One after landing in the UKImage source, Reuters

    Last night, Donald Trump arrived in the UK last night for an historic second state visit.

    The US president and his wife, Melania, landed at Stansted Airport last night. It's going to be a "big day", Trump told reporters on the tarmac, looking ahead to Wednesday.

    Trump said the main purpose of this trip was to visit his "friend", King Charles III. And there's plenty of pomp and ceremony being put on for their meeting. A carriage procession, military parade, a Red Arrows flypast and state banquet awaits.

    But for No 10, the most important element of the visit will be what we - the public - cannot see: high-level talks on trade and international politics, all taking place behind closed doors.

    "My relationship is good with the UK... They want to see if they can refine the trade deal a little bit... I'm into helping them," Trump said yesterday.

    For now, our focus is on Windsor, where Trump will meet the king later today. Stay with us for updates and analysis on all the action.

  13. President Trump lands in the UK for his second state visitpublished at 22:53 BST 16 September

    U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump are greeted by Viscount Henry Hood, representing Britain's King Charles, as they arrive for their state visit to Britain, at London Stansted Airport near London, Britain, September 16, 2025.Image source, Reuters

    US President Donald Trump has arrived on British soil this evening ahead of his unprecedented second state visit to the UK.

    After landing at London Stansted Airport on the US presidential plane Air Force One, and his wife Melania made their way by Marine One helicopter to central London.

    They will be staying at Winfield House, on the outskirts of London's Regent's Park, tonight - the US ambassador to the UK's house.

    Tomorrow, King Charles III will meet President Trump at Windsor Castle to start the two-day UK state visit.

    On Thursday, it's off to the prime minister's country residence, Chequers, where he will be visiting Keir Starmer.

    It's a historic moment - Trump is the first US president to be granted a second state visit to the UK.

    We'll be bringing you full coverage of all his movements over the course of the next two days, but for now we'll be pausing our live coverage.

    Until tomorrow, it's a goodnight from us. But you can continue reading with our latest stories:

  14. Images of Trump and Epstein projected on to Windsor Castlepublished at 22:34 BST 16 September

    Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein picture is displayed over Windsor CastleImage source, Reuters

    A short while ago, images of Donald Trump and the late convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein were projected on to the walls of Windsor Castle - seemingly in a sign of protest to the president's visit.

    It's unclear who is behind it.

    King Charles III will be hosting Trump and Melania at Windsor over the next two days.

    However, as we mentioned before, the Trumps are not staying there tonight.

    • Read about how the words "Epstein files" have been haunting the Trump administration for weeks in our explainer
  15. Tomorrow is going to be a big day, says Trumppublished at 22:21 BST 16 September

    Donald Trump speaks alongside ambassadorImage source, Reuters

    After being greeted by the US ambassador at Winfield House in central London, President Trump walked over to the press cameras and thanked Ambassador Warren A Stephens for "doing a great job".

    Trump said the flight over was "great" and added that "tomorrow is going to be a very big day", in reference to his meeting with the King in Windsor on Wednesday.

    He also namechecks Turnberry in Scotland - where he owns a golf course and hotel - and says there are a lot of "special places" in the UK that "warm my heart".

  16. President Trump and Melania arrive in central Londonpublished at 21:56 BST 16 September
    Breaking

    US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have now landed at Winfield House in London, the home of the US ambassador to the UK since 1955.

    Located in Regent's Park, the Grade II listed building was completed in 1938.

    Purchased by Barbara Hutton, heiress to American Woolworth and her husband, the house was built on the site of St Dunston's Villa, which was demolished to make way for Winfield House.

    Damaged in World War Two, Hutton donated the house to the US government, becoming the US ambassador's UK residence in 1946.

    The 12.5 acre property sits on the north-west side of Regent's Park, with the inside hosting a large collection of American fine art.

    The ground floor holds reception and state rooms, with the east wing housing the residence's staff.

    Aerial photo of Winfield House with an inset map locating the region of Regent’s Park, where the house is, in relation to London. The image shows the main house and gardens on a sunny day, surrounded by trees.
  17. What are Trump's connections to the UK?published at 21:39 BST 16 September

    Donald Trump next to a piper at the opening of The Trump International Golf Links Course in July 2012Image source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Donald Trump next to a piper at the opening of The Trump International Golf Links Course in Scotland, July 2012

    Donald Trump has in the past described the United Kingdom as a "very, very special place for me and for our country".

    The US president's mother, Mary Anne MacLeod Trump, was Scottish and a Gaelic speaker.

    Born and raised in Lewis, in the Western Isles, she moved to the United States aged 18 in 1930 but was said to have retained her native accent throughout her long life (she died aged 88 in 2000), and visited Lewis regularly enough that many there remember her well.

    Mary Anne MacLeod at Clydebank in Scotland in 1934Image source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Mary Anne MacLeod at Clydebank in Scotland in 1934

    Trump also owns two golf courses in Scotland: Trump Turnberry and Trump International Golf in Aberdeenshire.

    But there have been controversies, including when Scottish Natural Heritage said the Aberdeenshire course had "partially destroyed" the specially protected site it was built on.

    Despite his warm words about Scotland, the affection isn't always reciprocated.

    A recent opinion poll, external suggested seven in 10 Scots had an unfavourable opinion of the president.

  18. Trump boards helicopter bound for central Londonpublished at 21:24 BST 16 September
    Breaking

    Trump boards Marine One helicopterImage source, Reuters

    President Trump and Melania are now about to leave Stansted Airport and have just boarded US helicopter Marine One bound for central London.

    Overnight they will be staying at Winfield House in Regent's Park, the home of the US ambassador to the UK.

    As a reminder, the main events of the visit will not begin until tomorrow once the president and first lady are formally welcomed by the King and Queen at Windsor Castle.

  19. Trump and Melania greeted by US and UK officialspublished at 21:22 BST 16 September
    Breaking

    UK foreign secretary shakes hands with Donald Trump on the tarmacImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Yvette Cooper, the UK foreign secretary, shakes hands with Donald Trump

    We're still following activity on the tarmac at London Stansted Airport, where President Trump landed a few moments ago.

    After disembarking Air Force One, the president and first lady have been greeted by the US Chief of Protocol, Ambassador Monica Crowley.

    The president and first lady will also being welcomed by the Viscount Hood, Lord-in-Waiting, on behalf of the King.

    He is also greeted by the UK's Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper - who welcomed Marco Rubio a few hours earlier.

  20. Donald and Melania Trump disembark Air Force Onepublished at 21:20 BST 16 September
    Breaking

    Media caption,

    Watch: Moment President Trump and Melania land at Stansted Airport for historic UK visit

    President Trump and his wife Melania have just appeared at the doors of the US presidential jet after landing in the UK.

    The pair are disembarking Air Force One and making their way on to the tarmac at London Stansted Airport.