Trump Greeted by King Charles Amid Thousands of Protesters During UK State Visit
- Cloud 9 News
- Sep 17
- 3 min read
Windsor, England – September 17, 2025 - President Donald Trump was welcomed with regal splendor by King Charles III at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, marking the start of his unprecedented second state visit to the United Kingdom, as thousands of protesters rallied in London and Windsor against his policies and past associations. The day blended opulent ceremonies—including a horse-drawn carriage procession, a 21-gun salute, and a lavish state banquet—with heightened security measures to shield the events from demonstrations that highlighted deep transatlantic divides.
Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived via Marine One helicopter from London Stansted Airport, where they had landed on Air Force One the previous evening, greeted initially by U.S. Chief of Protocol and a UK lord-in-waiting. The couple was then escorted by Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, in a gilded Irish State Coach procession through the Windsor grounds, joined by King Charles and Queen Camilla for the formal welcome.
"This is one of the highest honors of my life," Trump declared during the Guard of Honour inspection, where he notably took the lead in reviewing the troops—a gesture arranged by the king. The ceremony featured the largest military welcome for a state visit in living memory, including a joint U.S.-British flypast of F-35 jets and the RAF Red Arrows, followed by the U.S. and British national anthems.
The itinerary at Windsor Castle emphasized the "special relationship" between the U.S. and UK. After the procession, the Trumps toured St. George's Chapel, laying a wreath at Queen Elizabeth II's tomb and meeting choir members. They then observed the "Beating Retreat" military performance by the U.S. Army's Old Guard Fife and Drums, with bagpipes and soldiers on horseback adding to the spectacle.
The evening culminated in a white-tie state banquet in St. George's Hall, attended by over 150 guests including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, tech CEOs like Nvidia's Jensen Huang, OpenAI's Sam Altman, Apple's Tim Cook, and media mogul Rupert Murdoch. King Charles, in his toast, lauded the shared history: "Our people have fought and died together for the values we hold dear," while subtly urging U.S. support for Ukraine, enhanced trade, and environmental protection. Trump reciprocated, praising Charles as a "very, very special man" who has preserved history and supported soldiers, and complimenting Catherine as "healthy" and "beautiful." He added that Prince William would have "unbelievable success."
Gifts were exchanged, with Charles presenting the flag that flew over Buckingham Palace on Inauguration Day 2025. The menu, personally approved by the king, featured British classics alongside American touches.
The private lunch and meetings, described as "warm and friendly" by William's spokesperson, underscored the soft power of the royals in mollifying Trump amid tense U.S.-UK relations.
While Windsor remained eerily quiet—its procession route closed to the public—central London saw up to 5,000 demonstrators under the Stop Trump Coalition banner march through Parliament Square with signs reading "Trump Not Welcome" and balloons depicting the president. Organized by dozens of groups, including anti-monarchy activists from Republic, the protests decried U.S. policies on climate, immigration, and global conflicts, as well as Trump's recent designation of Antifa as a terrorist organization.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan urged leaders not to "shy away from being critical," calling the visit a chance to voice "legitimate grievances." A poll showed 70% of Britons disliking Trump, with 44% favoring cancellation. Smaller crowds waved MAGA flags in Windsor, but protesters outnumbered them.
Tensions peaked with a stunt projecting images of Trump alongside Jeffrey Epstein onto Windsor Castle walls, leading to four arrests for malicious communications. The Metropolitan Police dispersed the main London rally peacefully but noted minor disturbances. Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn decried the arrests as "very sinister" suppression of free speech.
Thursday's schedule includes a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, focusing on a $42 billion U.S. tech investment pact involving Microsoft, Google, and Nvidia, NATO commitments, post-Brexit trade, and AI collaboration. Yet, the Epstein shadow looms, with Starmer recently firing Ambassador Peter Mandelson over ties, and potential questions at a joint presser.
This visit, Trump's first abroad since his 2024 reelection and amid U.S. political violence like the Charlie Kirk assassination, arrives as Britain grapples with domestic unrest. Trump posted on Truth Social: "What an incredible honor! The King and I discussed making our alliance even stronger. Protests? Fake news from the radical left!"
As one protester told Reuters, "Royal welcome or not, Trump's policies aren't welcome here." The pomp, costing taxpayers £5 million, contrasts sharply with the free expression of dissent, encapsulating a nation—and alliance—on edge.
Comments