US President Donald Trump will arrive in the UK this week for his state visit after being formally invited by King Charles.
The invitation has sparked controversy, with critics arguing the visit should not be allowed to go ahead.
Here’s what we know about the upcoming visit:
When will Donald Trump visit the UK?
The letter from King Charles, which Sir Keir handed to Trump on Thursday, suggested meeting at either Dumfries House in Ayrshire, Scotland — owned by the King since 2007— or Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire.
The invitation apparently surprised Trump, but after reading the letter, he said he accepted and that it would be an “honour” to visit the “fantastic” country.
He will arrive in the UK on Tuesday September 16 for the two day visit.
What will Donald Trump be doing when he is here?
On Tuesday the President, accompanied by his wife and First Lady, Melania Trump, arrives in the UK on Tuesday evening. They are to be greeted on behalf of the King by by the ambassador of the United States of America and Viscount Hood, Lord-in-Waiting.
There will be no public-facing element on the first day of his state visit, when the President will remain within the private Windsor Castle’s estate, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.
The Trumps will remain in the castle’s private estate on Wednesday and stay at the royal residence overnight.
On Wednesday they will see a royal salute and meet with Prince William and King Charles again.
The Trumps will be treated to a carriage procession through the Windsor estate with Charles, Camilla, William and Kate along a route towards the castle that is lined by members of the Armed Forces, with three military bands from the Royal Marines, the Army and the RAF.
Mr Trump, accompanied by Charles, is set to inspect the Guard of Honour at Windsor Castle.
A state dinner will be held that night and Mr and Mrs Trump will later visit the late Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb in St George’s Chapel, Windsor, and lay a wreath.
Later in the visit Mr Trump will be treated to a flypast by the Red Arrows and UK and US F-35 military jets on the east lawn at Windsor Castle and a special beating retreat military ceremony.
Why is Donald Trump’s second state visit to the UK contentious?
In 2019, Queen Elizabeth II hosted Trump for a state visit during his first presidency.
It is highly unusual for a US president to receive a second state visit during a second term. George W. Bush and Barack Obama were instead invited for tea or lunch with the monarch at Windsor Castle.
US President Donald Trump and the then-Prince of Wales during the toast at a dinner in London in 2019
PA Wire
Following Trump and Mr Zelensky’s tense showdown at the White House on Friday, pressure has mounted on Mr Starmer to cancel the visit. During the televised meeting, Trump accused the Ukrainian president of “gambling with World War Three” and expressed frustration over what he saw as a lack of gratitude for US support.
Since then, the Trump administration has paused military aid to Ukraine, suspending the delivery of billions of dollars’ worth of arms and other assistance previously approved under the Biden administration.
US President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky have a fiery meeting at the White House in Washington, DC, on February 28, 2025
AFP via Getty Images
An online petition calling for Starmer to “immediately cancel the offer of a second state visit for Donald Trump” gained more than 190,000 signatures, but it will go ahead this week despite this.
The petition describes Trump’s invitation as “unbelievable,” stating: “This is the same Donald Trump who, in recent weeks, has cosied up to Putin, escalated trade tariffs, slashed global aid, and berated Ukrainian President Zelensky in the White House.”
Yes. The Stop Trump Coalition have organised protest ‘Trump Not Welcome’ to take place on September 17.
They are asking people to meet at 2pm at Portland Place with the rally beginning from 5pm at Parliament Square.
A spokesman said: “Full details of the route, as well as rally speakers, our plans in Windsor and more will be coming soon.”
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