Summary

  1. After a full day of pomp and ceremony - what's still to come?published at 17:45 BST 17 September

    Melania and Trump are seen from behindImage source, The New York Times/Reuters

    It's been a busy day for both King Charles III and President Trump - but it's not quite over yet:

    First up: The King will be hosting a state banquet this evening in St George's Hall, at Windsor Castle, to honour the US president's visit - both are expected to deliver short speeches ahead of dinner.

    And then: President Trump and First Lady Melania will then overnight at Windsor Castle.

    Thursday morning: Trump will leave the Berkshire royal residence to meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer at his country residence, Chequers.

    At the same time... Melania Trump will remain in Windsor to accompany the Queen on a visit to Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House and the Royal Library.

    The first lady will then join the Princess of Wales to meet Chief Scout Dwayne Fields at Frogmore Gardens before travelling to Chequers to be reunited with the president.

  2. Protesters make their way through central Londonpublished at 17:32 BST 17 September

    Daniel Sandford
    Reporting from central London

    Protesters gather outside WestminsterImage source, EPA

    Meanwhile, the scene back in central London paints a different one from the images we've just seen in Windsor.

    The Stop Trump coalition protest, numbering a few thousand, paused outside Downing Street which was being protected by officers from Wales and Northern Ireland.

    They've now made their way to Parliament Square, where the first performer on the stage was Billy Bragg.

    People take part in a 'Trump Not Welcome' protest during the state visit of U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, asImage source, Reuters
  3. Chants of 'USA' as vehicles leave Windsor Castlepublished at 17:24 BST 17 September

    Alex Smith
    Reporting from Windsor

    A short while ago, a convoy of black American vehicles left Windsor Castle along the high street.

    Some people here were hoping President Trump might have been inside one of the cars - but there’s no plans for him to come out here.

    A few began chants of “USA”, others shouted “we love Trump”.

    Crowd takes pictures as black US vehicles drive past
  4. Prince and Princess of Wales had a private meeting with the Trumpspublished at 17:17 BST 17 September

    Sean Coughlan
    Royal correspondent, reporting from Windsor Castle

    he Prince and Princess of Wales receive US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at Windsor Castle in Windsor, Berkshire, on day one of their second state visiImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    The Trumps were greeted by the Prince and Princess of Wales earlier at Windsor Castle

    The Prince and Princess of Wales had their own short private meeting with President Trump and Melania during the day.

    It was said afterwards to have been a warm and friendly encounter, with Prince William and Catherine an important part of the royal welcome.

    Trump has been an enthusiastic fan of Prince William, having spoken highly of their "great, great talk" when they met in France last year.

    Melania and Catherine will be attending an event together on Thursday, which is likely to draw attention.

  5. Trump and the King greet military personnel as they leave ceremonypublished at 16:53 BST 17 September

    King Charles (L) shakes hands with a young girl with blonde hair in a low plait while Donald Trump (R) watches as a member of the British Air Force salutesImage source, PA Media

    The King and Queen are now leaving the ceremony - with Donald Trump and Melania walking beside them.

    They could be seen shaking hands with military personnel as they left the East Lawn of Windsor Castle.

  6. Cheers and applause for Red Arrowspublished at 16:50 BST 17 September

    Alex Smith
    Reporting from Windsor

    Red Arrows flypast over Windsor Castle seen from the road outside

    Outside Windsor Castle cameras were raised to the skies in anticipation for the Red Arrows flypast.

    Right on cue you could hear the planes roar as a stream of red, white and blue flashed across the skies.

    It was followed by some small cheers and applause from the gathered crowd.

    Many people here appear to have turned up just to see the flypast - with crowds increasing over the past ten minutes or so.

    A child nearby was counting down how long it would be.

    Red Arrows fly over Windsor Castle from an eastward approach. The flag of the King flies over the main tower of the castleImage source, Reuters
  7. Red Arrows take to the skies over Windsorpublished at 16:45 BST 17 September
    Breaking

    Red Arrows fly over Windsor's East Lawn, where Melania Trump, Donald Trump, the King and Queen are sitting under a white canopy observingImage source, PA Media

    The red, blue and white smoke from the Red Arrows flypast has filled the skies over Windsor Castle to mark US President Donald Trump's state visit to the UK.

    Red Arrows fly over Windsor Castle in BerkshireImage source, Reuters
    Wide shot of Windsor Castle as Red Arrows fly over from an eastward approachImage source, PA Media
  8. Watch as the Red Arrows prepare to take flight over Windsorpublished at 16:37 BST 17 September

    We are only minutes away from the scheduled flypast marking Donald Trump's second state visit to the UK.

    You can watch along with the Trumps and senior royals when the Red Arrows make their way over Windsor Castle by pressing watch live at the top of the page.

  9. Trump, Melania, the King and Queen take their seatspublished at 16:24 BST 17 September

    The president and first lady are now seated alongside the King and Queen for the military performance.

    Trump Camilla Melania and King take seatsImage source, PA Media
  10. Trump and King Charles III arrive for military performancepublished at 16:23 BST 17 September

    We've just seen President Trump and King Charles III arrive for a special military performance.

    They descended the stairs together.

    Trump and Charles.Image source, BBC POOL
    Trump and Charles.Image source, BBC POOL
  11. Watch Trump, Starmer and the King at special military musical performancepublished at 16:14 BST 17 September

    Keir Starmer stands at military processionImage source, POOL
    Image caption,

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife Lady Starmer in attendance on the East Lawn

    We'll soon be seeing the King, the Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Trump together for a special military musical performance on the East Lawn of Windsor Castle.

    The group will be joined by the Queen and First Lady Melania Trump for a rendition of Beating the Retreat - a military ceremony that originated in the early years of organised warfare.

    Two hundred UK and US musicians will be performing for their majesties and the American guests as well as British and US military personnel and their families.

    You can follow the procession above by pressing watch live above.

    Members of the the United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps in historic clothing march across the lawn carrying their instrumentsImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps pictured preparing for the performance

  12. Analysis

    UK state visit gives Trump the recognition he cravespublished at 16:11 BST 17 September

    Gary O'Donoghue
    Chief North America correspondent, reporting from Windsor Castle

    Donald Trump gestures as the King looks onImage source, PA Media

    Donald Trump wants recognition that he is an important figure of the 21st century - which is difficult to deny at this point.

    During his first state visit many thought his election win was an aberration, a moment in history that would come and go, but he has shown that is not the case.

    That has forced a recalibration around the world - particularly here in the UK.

    Starmer has gone to great lengths to create a foundation for a strong diplomatic relationship with Trump - which was reinforced when he hand-delivered Trump with an invitation from King Charles in the Oval Office.

    That gesture has led us to this three-day state visit.

    When I interviewed Trump a while ago, he called Starmer a "liberal", but expressed his affinity for the PM, with whom he has fostered a good relationship with.

    Over the last few months, international leaders have taken note out of Starmer's Trump playbook, and many of them have taken suit.

  13. Analysis

    The gifts that sparkle and symbolise a special relationshippublished at 16:09 BST 17 September

    Sean Coughlan
    Royal correspondent, reporting from Windsor Castle

    U.S. President Donald Trump, with Britain's King Charles, Queen Camilla and U.S. first lady Melania Trump, tours the Royal Collection at WindsorImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    President Trump, Melania, the King and Queen tour the Royal Collection at Windsor

    The gifts handed over - which we brought you the details about earlier - on state visits can seem odd sometimes, as they’re all about the symbolism rather than what the recipient might really want.

    What’s King Charles going to do with a replica of a President Eisenhower sword?

    But the gift from the US visitors was about sending a message of support for the military relationship between the US and UK, with a nod towards the wartime alliance, in a year when the 80th anniversary of VE Day was celebrated.

    The gift for Queen Camilla might get more use.

    It’s a Tiffany brooch, with rubies as the Queen’s birthstone and diamonds for Melania Trump’s birthstone, as a kind of jewellery version of the special relationship.

    President Trump received something that might make him remember a day he savoured. The King and Queen gave him the flag that was flying over Buckingham Palace on the day of his inauguration in January 2025.

    It’s a symbol of recognising his victory. There was also another gift honouring US history, with a leather volume celebrating next year’s 250th anniversary of the US declaration of independence.

    Melania received example of UK designers, with an Anya Hindmarch handbag, and a silver bowl made by a Northern Irish artist, Cara Murphy.

  14. Meanwhile, it's still looking promising for the Red Arrowspublished at 16:06 BST 17 September

    Simon King
    BBC Weather presenter and meteorologist

    As we heard a short while ago, the joint UK-US flypast has been cancelled - but the Red Arrows will still fly.

    Flypasts are heavily reliant on weather conditions, specifically the height of any cloud above ground.

    King Charles III coronation flypast in May 2023 was heavily scaled back due to persistent cloud at 1,200 feet - too low for some aircraft.

    The Red Arrows, though, were still able to fly.

    Today you may have noticed across southern England, it has been overcast with rain and drizzle at times.

    I’ve been keeping a very close eye on the cloud bases and while it has dropped to 700 ft at times with rain and drizzle – too low to perform a safe flypast - the main cloud layer is currently at around 1,200 to 1,500 ft around Windsor.

    So as long as there is no last minute area of rain moving through, it’s looking promising for the Red Arrows.

  15. President Trump lays a wreath at late Queen's tombpublished at 15:56 BST 17 September
    Breaking

    President Trump sits in a pew with Melania and RubioImage source, Reuters

    In a private moment, the US president and first lady lay a wreath on the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II at St George’s Chapel.

    Also in the chapel alongside President Trump are Marco Rubio, Scott Bessent, Stephen Miller, Steve Witkoff and Susie Wiles.

    Diagram of St George's Chapel with labelled architectural sections. At the centre is the Quire, a sacred area near the altar with ornate choir stalls used during services. Queen Elizabeth II is interred in the King George VI Memorial Chapel, a small chapel off the Royal Vault. The Altar is positioned at the eastern end, serving as the focal point for worship. The Nave stretches westward from the Quire, forming the main body of the chapel where the congregation gathers. At the far western end are the West Steps, the primary entrance to the chapel.
  16. Inside St George's Chapelpublished at 15:50 BST 17 September

    We're now seeing more images from inside St George's Chapel, where the president and first lady will lay a wreath at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II.

    Trump and Melania sat next to each other, Trump looking at camera.Image source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Trump and Melania sat side by side in St George's Chapel.

    Trump and Melania stood with a choir in St George's Chapel.Image source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Trump and Melania with choristers in St George's Chapel, who will sing the first movement from Vivaldi's Gloria for the president

  17. Trump and Melania arrive at chapel to visit late Queen's tombpublished at 15:41 BST 17 September

    Trump and Melania are greeted at the entrance to St George's ChapelImage source, Reuters

    Next on the itinerary for the president and first lady is a trip to St George's Chapel where a number of former monarchs are buried.

    They are greeted by the Dean of Windsor, the Rt. Rev. Christopher Cocksworth, and the Chapter Clerk, Miss Charlotte Manley.

    While there, they will lay a wreath at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II.

    Choristers will then sing the first movement from Vivaldi’s Gloria for them before they return to Windsor Castle.

    The Dean of Windsor, Trump and MelaniaImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    The Dean of Windsor welcomed the president and first lady to the chapel

  18. Red Arrows will still take to skies, but joint flypast cancelledpublished at 15:29 BST 17 September
    Breaking

    Sean Coughlan
    Royal correspondent, reporting from the Mall

    It's understood that the flypast on Wednesday afternoon might have to be reduced, because of the weather.

    The F-35 fighter jets, which were due to thunder over Windsor, are now not expected to fly.

    But the Red Arrows are still expected to put on a display, which will be watched by Keir Starmer as well as President Trump, in a show of the military alliance between the UK and US.

  19. What's still to come?published at 15:20 BST 17 September

    Trump and King Charles walking next to a man in a military uiform.Image source, Reuters

    Helicopters, horses and hats - oh my. The last few hours have flown by, but there's still much to come:

    Coming up shortly: We're staying in Windsor, where the president and first lady will pay a visit to St George's Chapel. They will be greeted by the Dean of Windsor and the Chapter Clerk, while choristers sing the first movement from Vivaldi’s Gloria. They will then lay a wreath at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II.

    Next up: The King, Queen, President Trump and First Lady Melania will take part in “Beating the Retreat” - a military ceremony that will take place on the castle’s east lawn.

    Weather permitting... Guests will then be treated to a royal flypast.

    Capping off the day: Trump and Melania will attend a traditional state banquet, during which both the King and president will deliver speeches. The pair will then overnight at Windsor Castle.

  20. Worth a closer lookpublished at 15:12 BST 17 September

    Donald Trump examines a paintingImage source, Getty Images

    King Charles and Queen Camilla show the US president and first lady a special exhibition in Windsor Castle's Green Drawing Room.

    Among the items on display are watercolours by Mark Catesby and artefacts marking America's independence from the United Kingdom.

    One in particular seems to have captured Trump's attention.