The UK state visit of Donald Trump will happen this year, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.
The exact date is yet to be decided, but ITV News Royal Editor Chris Ship understands that September was the “working assumption” for the visit.
However a plannned meeting with King Charles, which was thought to have been in the planning to take place Scotland in the summer, has now been cancelled for “diary reasons”.
UK prime minister Keir Starmer presented an invitation from King Charles to Trump on their first meeting after the US president’s January inauguration at the White House. At the time Trump said it would be an “honour” to visit the “fantastic” country.
A Buckingham Palace aide said: “His Majesty has known President Trump for many years and looks forward to hosting him and the First Lady later this year.”
The formal planning for the autumn trip is now underway after a ‘Manu Regia’ – a hand-delivered invitation signed by King Charles – was sent to the White House by the British Embassy in Washington DC.
The occasion marks an unprecedented second state visit by a US president as the UK government is seeking to make the most of Trump’s fondness for the Royal Family amid a volatile global picture.
Trump’s first visit took place in July 2028, where he met the late Queen at Windsor Castle and was hosted at a black-tie dinner by then prime minister Theresa May. He also enjoyed a few days at his his Turnberry golf resort in Ayrshire.
Unlike his visit in 2019, during Mr Trump’s first term as president, this year’s formal state visit ceremonies won’t be happening in London.
Due to the ongoing refurbishment works at Buckingham Palace, all State Visits – including the upcoming one in July by the French President, Emanuel Macron – have been switched to Windsor Castle.
That might be a relief to London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, who has been at the receiving end of Mr Trump’s sharp tongue in recent recent years, but it will be a security challenge for Thames Valley Police which is responsible for policing in the Berkshire town.
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