“One of the Highest Honours of My Life” — Trump Wraps Up First Day of Second UK State Visit

London, September 2025 — U.S. President Donald Trump described the first day of his second state visit to the United Kingdom as one of the most memorable moments of his life. “This is one of the highest honours of my life,” he said during his speech at the state banquet.

Day one was filled with royal spectacle — from the King and Queen’s official welcome in Windsor, to a carriage procession, a Red Arrows flypast, and the glittering state banquet. Addressing 160 guests, Trump praised the “special relationship,” saying, “The word ‘special’ does not begin to do it justice.”

King Charles called the occasion a renewal of the UK-U.S. bond, speaking of the “unshakeable trust in our friendship” and the “shared commitment to independence and liberty.”

Earlier in the day, Trump privately paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II by laying a wreath at her tomb — a solemn, camera-free moment.

The President and the King then sat side by side at a banquet table that took a week to prepare, joined by members of the Royal Family and senior U.S. officials.

Day Two Agenda

Today’s schedule includes a formal farewell at Windsor Castle, a visit to Chequers where Trump will meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer, jointly view the Sir Winston Churchill archives, and hold a bilateral meeting behind closed doors. The two leaders will later attend a business reception with Chancellor Rachel Reeves before holding a joint press conference. First Lady Melania Trump will remain in Windsor to tour the Royal Library and Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House.

Political & Diplomatic Tensions

Today’s press conference could be a political rollercoaster for Starmer as he stands alongside the unpredictable U.S. president. Key topics where the two leaders may differ include:

• Palestinian State Recognition: The UK is expected to recognise a Palestinian state in the coming days, something the White House views as a mistake.

• Ukraine: The UK has remained steadfast in its support for Kyiv, framing it as a fight for the West’s values and freedoms, while Trump’s backing of Zelensky has been inconsistent, with critics pointing to his warmer stance toward Putin.

• Jeffrey Epstein Issue: The convicted sex offender’s past ties to Trump, Prince Andrew, and former UK ambassador Lord Mandelson have resurfaced, adding an awkward undercurrent to the visit.

The visit will conclude when the Trumps reunite and board Air Force One for their return flight to Washington, D.C., capping a trip that combined royal pageantry with complex diplomacy.