Summary

  1. Glitz and glamour on full show at state banquetpublished at 06:32 BST 18 September

    The US president was given the full royal treatment at the state banquet on Wednesday night, which he attended with his wife, other family and members of his administration.

    Here are some images to give you a flavour of what the evening was like.

    King Charles III and Queen Camilla (L) with US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump (R) pose for a photo at the state banquet for the president and his wife at Windsor CastleImage source, PA Media
    The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive for the state banquet at Windsor Castle, Berkshire, on day one of US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump's second state visit to the UKImage source, Reuters
    The Princess Royal walks with US Ambassador to the UK, Warren Stephen, followed by Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence and Dame Vivian Hunt, at the state banquet at Windsor CastleImage source, Reuters
    US President Donald Trump and King Charles III at the state banquet for the US President and First Lady Melania Trump at Windsor CastleImage source, PA Media
    A view of guests during the state banquet at Windsor CastleImage source, Reuters
    US President Donald Trump, alongside King Charles III, the Princess of Wales, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and guests attend the state banquet for the US President and First Lady Melania Trump at Windsor CastleImage source, Reuters
  2. Watch: Catch up on the pomp, pageantry and protestspublished at 06:05 BST 18 September

  3. Banquet saw UK-US special relationship on displaypublished at 05:52 BST 18 September

    US President Donald Trump delivers his speech as King Charles III and the Princess of Wales listen during the state banquet for the US President and First Lady Melania TrumpImage source, PA Media

    Last night, President Trump was treated to a three-course dinner, an extensive wine list and a speech from the King.

    King Charles hailed his commitment to finding solutions to conflict as well as fighting for Ukraine against "tyranny".

    Trump then spoke to the gathered guests, including Apple CEO Tim Cook, press baron Rupert Murdoch and OpenAI chief Sam Altman.

    He addressed the relationship between the US and UK, saying "special does not begin to do it justice".

  4. From royal castle to PM's country housepublished at 05:38 BST 18 September

    Good morning and welcome back to our live coverage of Donald Trump's state visit.

    Today the president will leave Windsor Castle - where last night he enjoyed the splendour of a state banquet hosted by the King - and head off to the PM's countryside estate, Chequers.

    This will be a chance for Trump and Keir Starmer to meet and hold a joint news conference.

    It could be the moment of maximum unpredictability amid the carefully choreographed visit, as the BBC's Chris Mason points out (more on this in a bit).

    Stay with us as we take you through all the events of the day.

  5. 'One of the highest honours of my life,' says Trump as he caps off first day of state visitpublished at 22:40 BST 17 September

    Cachella Smith
    Live reporter

    The Queen, the King, Donald Trump and Melania pose next to one another in formal attire inside St George's Hall.Image source, Getty Images

    The opening day of President Trump's second state visit to the UK has boasted a packed itinerary - complete with a carriage procession, a Red Arrows flypast and even a new Transatlantic cocktail.

    Being the first president to receive an invitation for a second state visit to the UK was a "singular privilege", he said - the momentous nature of the trip did not seem to be lost on the US president.

    Calling it one of the "highest honours" of his life, Trump joked he hoped it will be the last time someone is invited twice.

    In his speech at the state banquet, he paid tribute to the relationship the two countries enjoy.

    "The word special does not begin to do it justice," he told the 160 attendees.

    The King, in his turn, spoke of today's events as a renewal of the UK-US bond - referencing the "unshakeable trust in our friendship" and the "shared commitment to independence and liberty".

    Earlier in the day, Trump used the occasion to pay his respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II, laying a wreath at her tomb in a private moment away from cameras.

    The president and the King now sit side-by-side at a banquet table that took a week to put together - flanked by members of the Royal Family and the US administration.

    We will be pausing our live coverage for the day, but Trump's visit continues tomorrow when his focus turns to the political domain. He'll be sitting down with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and is also expected to meet leader of the opposition Kemi Badenoch.

    Until then, we've got more on today's wardrobe choices, an overview of what tonight's banquet looks like and highlights of the speeches that the King and Trump made a short while ago.

  6. Analysis

    Washington enthralled with visit - even if domestic concerns loompublished at 22:19 BST 17 September

    Bernd Debusmann Jr
    Reporting from Washington DC

    Donald Trump smiles as Princess of Wales toasts himImage source, Getty Images

    For much of today, Americans - and many US TV networks - have been captivated by the display put on for President Donald Trump in Windsor today.

    Knowing I work for the BBC, several acquaintances and contacts have messaged me throughout the morning. What they said, I thought, was quite indicative of what many Americans were thinking.

    "That was an incredible display," one government worker told me. "That's so much more than anything we do."

    Another contact, a young female veteran of the Army, said the Beating the Retreat and flypast were "infinitely better" than the parade held to celebrate the US Army's 250th birthday in June - on Trump's birthday.

    "That's how these things should be done," she added, noting that state visits to the US often go completely unnoticed by the wider public.

    On the other hand, Trump's visit to the UK comes at a time in which there are many ongoing domestic issues in the US that are gripping the attention of the country - ranging from the aftermath of Charlie Kirk's assassination to FBI Director Kash Patel's hearing on Capitol Hill and battles over the US healthcare system.

    "I haven't been watching that, at all," one left-leaning friend told me when I asked about Trump's visit. "We've got stuff of our own to deal with right now."

    Out of curiosity, I just flipped through US news channels, and found that, at least after today's events in the UK wrapped up, most had reverted back to focusing on domestic politics.

  7. In pictures: A procession, two speeches and many cheerspublished at 22:08 BST 17 September

    A royal procession walks into St George's Hall for a state banquetImage source, Reuters
    Trump and Charles speaking at the banquet tableImage source, PA Media
    King and Trump cheers their glasses at banquet.Image source, PA Media
    Dinner guests are seated for the US-UK state dinner as Trump speaksImage source, PA Media
    Trump shares a toast with the Princess of Wales and the King with Marco RubioImage source, PA Media
    Dinner guests applaud after speechesImage source, Reuters
  8. Analysis

    Now that the hats are off, the gowns are onpublished at 21:50 BST 17 September

    Noor Nanji
    Royal reporter at Windsor Castle

    Camilla and Melania walk side by sideImage source, Reuters

    We’ve had hats, we’ve had feather brooches.

    But it’s evening now, and time for a completely different look.

    For the state banquet, the Princess of Wales dazzled in a couture gown by British designer Phillipa Lepley with a full-length, hand-embroidered gold Chantilly lace evening coat over a silk crepe gown. She completed her look with the Lover's Knot Tiara - a favourite of Princess Diana’s.

    “It’s show-stopping,” was the verdict of royal expert Victoria Murphy.

    Meanwhile, Melania went bold. Yellow! Strapless! And a baby pink belt!

    Gone was the hat, so for the first time today, we saw her full face. She wore her hair down, and completed the look with sparkling, dangly earrings.

    The Prince of Wales was decked out in formal regalia and his orders, and wore an elegant Windsor tail coat.

    And the Queen attended the banquet in a royal blue silk marocain embroidered dress by Fiona Clare, a sapphire and diamond tiara, and the King's Family Order.

    Prince and Princess of Wales walk inImage source, Getty Images
  9. Analysis

    Trump stuck to the script, and struck a sombre tonepublished at 21:21 BST 17 September

    Rajini Vaidyanathan
    Reporting from Windsor Castle

    This was President Trump like we rarely see him - sticking to a script, restrained - with no meandering diversions.

    As he heaped praise on his host, he struck a sombre tone.

    There were a few of his characteristic self congratulatory Trump moments - he said he'd made America "the hottest country in the world" since he returned to office, and when he joked about how he hoped he'd be the only president to get two state visits, he even raised a few laughs.

  10. The word special does not begin to do UK-US relationship justice - Trumppublished at 21:19 BST 17 September
    Breaking

    The president continues to reference the "bond" between the UK and the US.

    Talking of the phrase "special relationship" - he says that from the American point of view the word 'special' "does not begin to do it justice".

    He says the two countries are joined by a number of things including history, language and transcendent ties of culture, tradition, ancestry and destiny.

    The speeches have now concluded.

  11. Trump says second state visit is one of highest honours of his lifepublished at 21:15 BST 17 September

    Trump continues to reference the fact that this is his second state visit - something which is a "first".

    Maybe it will also be the last time, he jokes. "I hope it is actually," he says to laughter.

    He adds this is one of the "highest honours" of his life.

  12. 'Singular privilege' to be invited for second state visit - Trumppublished at 21:11 BST 17 September

    Trump stands at the banquet table to deliver his speech. Others seated around him look onImage source, Reuters

    US President Donald Trump is now addressing the state banquet.

    He begins by saying that he and Melania are both "deeply grateful" to the King and Queen for hosting them at Windsor Castle.

    It's been a "singular privilege", he says, to be first American president welcomed here for a state visit - twice.

    Such respect for you and such respect for your country, he adds.

  13. King toasts Trump, Melania and American peoplepublished at 21:09 BST 17 September

    Wrapping up his speech, King Charles says that in "renewing" the UK-US bond tonight "we do so with unshakeable trust in our friendship and in our shared commitment to independence and liberty".

    He lastly proposes a toast to Trump and Melania, "and to the health, prosperity and happiness of the people of the United States of America".

    We're now hearing from US President Donald Trump, we'll bring you more on what he says shortly.

  14. King praises Trump's 'commitment' to finding solutions to world conflictspublished at 21:04 BST 17 September
    Breaking

    Sean Coughlan
    Royal correspondent, reporting from Windsor Caslte

    King speaking, Trump and Princess Catherine next to him.Image source, PA Media

    The key message from the King's speech has been about the deep ties between the US and the UK.

    "Our people have fought and died together for the values we hold dear," he said.

    And without mentioning specific wars, whether Ukraine or the Middle East, he commended the president's "personal commitment to finding solutions to some of the world's most intractable conflicts".

  15. UK-US have 'closest' defence relationship ever known, says Kingpublished at 21:03 BST 17 September
    Breaking

    Sean Coughlan
    Royal correspondent, reporting from Windsor Castle

    "Today, as tyranny once again threatens Europe, we and our allies stand together in support of Ukraine, to deter aggression and secure peace," says King Charles in his state banquet speech.

    It's an important message that the UK government and other Nato allies will want to send to President Trump.

    The King links this modern threat to democracy with the wartime alliance of the US and UK.

    "Our countries have the closest defence, security and intelligence relationship ever known," says the King.

  16. King Charles jokes that he nearly married in to the Nixon familypublished at 21:01 BST 17 September

    Sean Coughlan
    Royal correspondent, reporting from Windsor Castle

    The King's speech made an unexpected reference to an old news story from the 1970s.

    On a trip to the White House under the presidency of Richard Nixon the press had speculated on whether the then young bachelor Prince Charles was going to be romantically involved with the president's daughter.

    "Had the media succeeded in the 1970s in their own attempt at deepening the special relationship, I myself might have been married off within the Nixon family!" he tells the banquet.

  17. King's speech highlights shared history between US and UKpublished at 21:00 BST 17 September

    Sean Coughlan
    Royal correspondent, reporting from Windsor Castle

    King Charles speaks at banquet, Trump and Princess Catherine sat next to him.Image source, PA Media

    The King's speech in honour of President Trump takes careful aim at his interests.

    "I understand that British soil makes for rather splendid golf courses," joked the king.

    But it's a speech designed to highlight the connections underpinning the special relationship, a common culture, a common language, shared business and defence interests.

    "From York to New York, from Birmingham, England to Birmingham, Alabama," he said.

    He mentions the shared history - including America's battle for independence from his "five times great grandfather, King George III".

  18. A unique and important occasion, King sayspublished at 21:00 BST 17 September

    King Charles starts by referencing the "great pleasure" on behalf of him and his wife to welcome Trump and Melania to Windsor Castle.

    He calls this a "unique" and "important" occasion - one that reflects the bond between the two nations.

  19. King speaks at banquet - watch and follow livepublished at 20:58 BST 17 September
    Breaking

    King Charles makes speech at state banquet in Windsor Castle.

    He starts by welcoming US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.

    You can follow along by clicking Watch live above.

  20. Guests take their seatspublished at 20:55 BST 17 September
    Breaking

    Media caption,

    King and Trump arrive at state banquet

    A few moments ago, the guests for the banquet made a procession into the dining hall, led by the Queen and Melania Trump.

    The 160-strong crowd have now taken their seats.

    You can watch those scenes by clicking Watch live above.