The King and Trump: President and first lady welcomed in largest state visit to UK
Alongside first lady Melania Trump, President Trump became the first elected leader to be hosted for two U.K. state visits.
Swapna Venugopal RamaswamyPresident Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump got the royal treatment as they began their historic second state visit to Britain on Sept. 17, complete with a carriage procession in ornate black and gold coaches with bright red painted wheels on the grounds of the Windsor Castle.
A visually stunning parade of British Royal Guards in large bearskin hats and red uniforms were part of the military ceremonial welcome, which was the largest “for a state visit to the UK in living memory,” according to the UK’s Ministry of Defence. With this welcome, full of pomp and pageantry, Trump became the first political leader to be hosted for two state visits by the U.K.
Around 120 horses and 1,300 members of the British military were involved in the ceremonial welcome, with 160 personnel from the Royal Marines and Royal Navy, 1,000 from the British Army and 140 from the Royal Air Force.
The U.K. Armed Forces also made a significant contribution to the state welcome, for “an ally that has long been the U.K.’s principal defence and security partner.” The president’s visit comes at a time when NATO countries are urging the U.S. to back Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia’s three-year war.
The castle, located just outside London, is the residence where the late monarch Queen Elizabeth II, who hosted Trump’s first state visit, spent most of her time.
Trump, whose mother was born in Scotland, has said his mother was a great fan of the queen.
Upon their arrival, the first to greet the president and the first lady were Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales. The first lady wore a navy structured skirt suit and a low slung wide-brimmed purple hat, like the one she wore for her husband's second inauguration ceremony in January. The president wore a dark suit and a tie with a purplish hue to match the first lady’s hat.
The arrival of the president and the first lady was accompanied by music from The Band of the Household Cavalry wearing state dress – a uniform designed in the 17th century and made from pure gold thread.
The first lady rode the carriage with Queen Camilla while the president rode with King Charles III. The Prince and Princess of Wales followed in a third carriage.
Around 80 soldiers rode in the procession as part of the Sovereign’s escort, which accompanies the royal carriages. After the carriages arrived at the Quadrangle in Windsor Castle, the president king inspected a British Army guard of honor.
Soon after, the Trumps and the royals entered the castle for lunch.
Trump and the first lady's day is scheduled to be capped with a white-tie state banquet at St George’s Hall, Windsor Castle, with fanfare and music.
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is a White House Correspondent for USA TODAY. You can follow her on X @SwapnaVenugopal