King Charles III Invites Trump for Historic Second State Visit to Britain

In an unprecedented move, President Trump has been invited for a state visit to the U.K., marking his second such engagement, as disclosed by Buckingham Palace.

President Donald Trump is set for a two-day state visit to the United Kingdom from September 17 to 19, as confirmed by Buckingham Palace on Sunday. This visit, hosted by King Charles III, is highly notable as it will be Trump's second state visit, an honor rarely extended to a head of state.

The invitation was formally extended to Trump last February by Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a visit to the Oval Office, who highlighted the uniqueness of this invitation: “This has never happened before; this is unprecedented.” Trump's previous visit in 2019 was marked by a lavish banquet hosted by Queen Elizabeth II, complete with a royal artillery salute.

In a documentary titled “The Art of the Surge,” Trump reminisced about his visit with the late queen, stating, “She was fantastic, by the way.” However, his prior visit was not without controversy; Trump infamously clashed with London Mayor Sadiq Khan, labeling him a “stone cold loser” and attributing London's troubles to his leadership. Khan has publicly critiqued Trump, identifying him as representative of a rise in global authoritarianism.

Reports suggest that due to the timing of the visit, it is unlikely Trump will address the British Parliament, as Parliament is typically not in session during the late September conference period for political parties. This contrasts with President Emmanuel Macron’s recent visit, where he was granted the honor of addressing Parliament.

As Trump prepares for his visit, the diplomatic climate and historical context underscore the layers of political significance in this unique occasion. Buckingham Palace will host the event at Windsor Castle due to ongoing renovations at Buckingham Palace.

Mark Landler, the London bureau chief for The Times, provides insight into the evolving relationship between the U.S. and the U.K. as they navigate their complex political landscapes.