On Thursday, King Charles invited Donald Trump to the UK for a King Charles state visit. Which he said he would accept, as Trump said yes. Trump will be the first U.S. president in quite a while to go to the U.K. for two state visits.
A Special Ceremony at the White House
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer officially handed over the invitation for the King Charles state visit at the White House. Starmer passed Trump a note from King Charles before reporters. The meeting took place right before dialogues on worldwide security. The existing situation in Ukraine, and many more bilateral issues between the two.
Trump quickly opened the letter, jokingly looking for the King’s sign. As soon as he saw it, he said, “A beautiful signature!” and held it up for cameras to see.
“This is really special. No one has done this before. This is without precedent.” Starmer told Trump before pressing him for an answer. Trump said, ‘Yes, the answer is yes’ and went on to confirm that he would also visit with First Lady Melania Trump. “We would love to be there and honour the King.” Your country is a fantastic country, and it’ll be our honor to be there,” Trump added, regarding the upcoming King Charles state visit.
A Personal Touch from King Charles
The letter from King Charles ended with a warm sentiment: “In doing so, working together, I know we will further enhance the special relationship between our two countries, of which we are both so proud.” This personal message highlights the importance of the relationship between the UK and the U.S., underscoring the historic bond between the two nations.
Trump’s First State Visit in 2019
This upcoming visit will be Trump’s second state visit to the UK. The first occurred in June 2019 during his presidency. During that visit, he attended a grand state banquet, had a private lunch with Queen Elizabeth, and enjoyed tea with Charles, who was then the heir to the throne.
Trump’s 2019 visit placed him in an exclusive group of U.S. presidents. Only Barack Obama and George W. Bush had been invited for state visits during Queen Elizabeth’s 70-year reign. Queen Elizabeth’s passing in September 2022 marked the end of the more than 110 state visits she hosted throughout her reign, making Trump’s second visit even more significant.
A Notable History of Visits
Trump’s encounters with Queen Elizabeth were not limited to the 2019 state visit. In 2018, he was invited to tea at Windsor Castle. However, that visit sparked controversy, as Trump was widely criticized for breaking royal protocol. He was seen walking in front of the Queen and failing to bow, which raised eyebrows among many observers.
Both of Trump’s visits to the UK have sparked large protests. The 2018 trip alone saw the deployment of over 10,000 police officers and cost the British government more than 14 million pounds due to security measures.
Trump’s upcoming state visit is sure to be another momentous occasion, as it further strengthens the unique and long-standing relationship between the U.S. and the UK. This King Charles state visit will be closely watched.
