Donald Trump received one of the most extravagant welcomes at Windsor Castle. It was part of his second state visit to the United Kingdom. Britain’s famous aerobatic team, the Red Arrows, staged a spectacular air display. The US president also enjoyed a royal carriage ride. He witnessed impressive military pageantry throughout the event.
A Grand Royal Arrival at Windsor Castle
The visit began in the private Walled Garden of Windsor Castle. Prince William and Princess Catherine greeted Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. They met them as they stepped off Marine One, the US presidential helicopter. From there, escorts led the couple to King Charles III and Queen Camilla. A giant royal flag flew from the tower to mark the historic occasion.
Soon after, troops fired a royal salute. Trump and the king rode side by side in the gilded Irish State Coach. This carriage is usually reserved for the State Opening of Parliament. Queen Camilla accompanied the first lady in another horse-drawn carriage. The carriages moved slowly along a route. Guards carrying bright flags gave the crowd a glimpse of the grandeur.
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In the castle quadrangle, Trump inspected the troops. Massed bagpipes played while a 41-gun salute shook the grounds of Windsor Castle. The ceremonial guard mounted the largest state visit welcome in living memory. It involved 120 horses and more than 1,300 British soldiers. The display underlined the importance the royal household placed on this state occasion.
Poor weather forced the US and UK militaries to cancel a planned flypast by F-35 fighter jets. Even so, the Royal Air Force’s Red Arrows staged a show. They roared over Windsor Castle, leaving trails of red, white, and blue smoke across the sky.
A Day of Tradition and Tribute
As part of the program, Trump joined King Charles and Queen Camilla in exploring an exhibition from the Royal Collection inside Windsor Castle. The display connected centuries of shared US-UK history. Items included a first edition of Captain John Smith’s writings about Virginia, watercolours of American wildlife, and letters to King George III from the time of the American Revolution.
One of the rarest pieces on display was a condolence note from President Abraham Lincoln to Queen Victoria. Visitors also saw documents related to the first trans-Atlantic telegraph cable, as well as Queen Elizabeth II’s personal account of a 1939 hot dog picnic in New York.
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Trump also paid a solemn tribute at St George’s Chapel, placing a wreath at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II. The quiet moment stood in contrast to the day’s larger displays of music, marching troops, and ceremony.
Later in the evening, the pageantry continued with the Beating Retreat, a centuries-old military parade featuring more than 200 musicians. Traditionally, this performance was used to call soldiers back to camp at dusk.
Royal Banquet at Windsor Castle
The day’s grand finale was a lavish white-tie state banquet inside Windsor Castle. Trump, wearing formal white tie, walked alongside King Charles at the head of the procession into St George’s Hall. First Lady Melania Trump wore a yellow gown and a wide-brimmed hat, while Queen Camilla chose a blue evening dress and sparkling tiara.
Inside the hall, Yeoman Warders in their iconic scarlet uniforms and ruff collars lined the way. Guests dined at the historic Waterloo table, glittering with 1,462 pieces of silver and lit by 139 tall candles. Fresh flowers from the castle gardens added colour to the already rich setting.
The guest list included 160 people, among them the Prince and Princess of Wales, Trump’s daughter Tiffany, and several American business leaders. Notably, Nvidia’s Jensen Huang and OpenAI’s Sam Altman were present, reflecting the growing importance of technology partnerships between the two nations.
During the evening, King Charles and Donald Trump both gave speeches. Trump praised Britain’s role in literature, history, and the arts. He described the relationship between the US and the UK as beyond “special,” claiming that the two countries together had done more good for humanity than any others.
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The royal family also presented personal gifts to their guests. Trump received a hand-bound book marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, as well as a Union Flag that had flown over Buckingham Palace on the day of his inauguration. Melania Trump was given a silver and enamel bowl along with a custom handbag by designer Anya Hindmarch.
In return, Trump gifted King Charles a replica of General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s sword. Queen Camilla was presented with a vintage Tiffany & Co. brooch made of gold, diamonds, and rubies.
The day blended military precision, centuries-old tradition, and modern diplomacy. From the sound of bagpipes to the sight of royal carriages and the thunder of jets above, the welcome for Donald Trump at Windsor Castle stood out as one of the most elaborate state visits in recent memory.