Why is President Trump in the UK this week?
Watch: US President Donald Trump to make state visit to the UK
- Published
US President Donald Trump is due to arrive in the UK this week, on a state visit.
This means he has officially been invited to the country by King Charles.
He and his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, will arrive on the evening of Tuesday 16 September and stay until Thursday 18 September.
It will be his second state visit to the UK - making him the first US President ever to be invited twice.
Keep reading to discover what President Trump will be doing in the UK and find out more about what a state visit is.
- Published14 July
- Published7 November 2024
What will Donald Trump do when he visits the UK?
President Trump and his wife Melania met King Charles and Queen Camilla during his last state visit in 2019
When the Trumps arrive in the UK on Tuesday evening, they will be met by the US Ambassador Warren Stephens.
On Wednesday, the visit kicks off properly, with a greeting by the Prince and Princess of Wales at Windsor Castle, before receiving a formal welcome by the King and Queen.
It'll be in Windsor because Buckingham Palace, where the Royal Family normally hosts guests, is currently undergoing renovations.
A royal salute will be fired in Windsor and at the Tower of London. After lunch there will flypast by UK and US jets, and the Red Arrows.
On Wednesday evening, a traditional state banquet will be held at the castle, during which both the King and President Trump will deliver speeches.
President Trump is also due to meet with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer
On Thursday, President Trump will meet Sir Keir Starmer, at the prime minister's official country home in Buckinghamshire, called Chequers.
Melania Trump will remain at Windsor Castle where she will meet Chief Scout Dwayne Fields with the Princess of Wales, who is joint president of the Scout Association.
The First Lady will then join her husband at Chequers before they both return to the United States.
What is a state visit?
The Emperor And Empress Of Japan with the King and Queen during a state visit in 2024
A state visit is a formal visit to the UK by an important foreign leader - including monarchs, presidents or prime ministers.
It is normally at the invitation of the King, who is the UK's head of state and who acts on advice from the government.
The King acts as the official host during the trip and he usually welcomes one or two heads of state a year.
But the events aren't just for show.
They are important political occasions too, which aim to strengthen relationships between the UK and other countries around the world.
What do people think about President Trump's visit?
There were protests during Donald Trump's last state visit to the UK
During President Trump's first state visit, in 2019, there were protests in the centre of London.
This time around some politicians have said that Donald Trump shouldn't have been invited for a second state visit.
They disagree with his position on a number of issues, particularly on Israel and Gaza.
However, other politicians, including Prime Minister Starmer, have said that the visit is important, because of America's traditional close relationship with the UK.