By Robert Jobson
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President Donald Trump is meeting with King Charles at Windsor Castle for his second state visit to the UK. The two heads of state will travel in a carriage procession before being greeted by a Guard of Honour as Britain rolls out the red carpet for the American president. Here are all the key timings you need to know today.
The President of the United States and the First Lady join King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales in a carriage procession through the Windsor estate toward Windsor Castle.
As the procession begins, the US and British national anthems are played.
A Sovereign’s Escort of the Household Cavalry is mounted at the start of the route, and Armed Forces personnel line the route from the Walled Garden to George IV Gate.
The procession order is as follows: the Irish State Coach carries the King and the US President; the Scottish State Coach carries Queen Camilla and the First Lady.
The Semi-State Landau carries the Prince and Princess of Wales with US Ambassador Warren Stephens and his spouse.
Two Ascot Landaus carry senior US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, and other aides to the President.
The procession moves along Frogmore Drive, passes through George IV Gateway, and enters the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle.
The carriages arrive at Windsor Castle.
A Guard of Honour is mounted in the Quadrangle, featuring the State Colours of the Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards and Scots Guards, alongside the massed Bands of the Foot Guards and the Pipes and Drums.
This is the first time that three State Colours have featured at such an occasion.
As the carriages arrive, the Guard of Honour gives a Royal Salute and the bands play the US and British national anthems.
The President and First Lady join King Charles and Queen Camilla on the dais, with the Prince and Princess of Wales positioned beside them.
A Royal Salute is given and national anthems are played again.
The Guard Commander presents the Guard, and the President, accompanied by the King, inspects the Guard of Honour.
After the inspection, King Charles and the President re-join Queen Camilla and the First Lady on the dais.
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery performs a March Past, followed by the Sovereign’s Escort Rank Past and the Guard of Honour March Past.
The King and Queen then lead the President and First Lady into Windsor Castle.
A group of 200 military musicians will perform a rendition of Beating Retreat on the East Lawn of Windsor Castle, watched by spectators including UK and US military personnel and military families.
Beating Retreat is a military spectacle and ceremony that originated in the early years of organised warfare and symbolises the end of the day when camp gates were closed and ceremonial flags were lowered.
It takes place on Horse Guards Parade every year in June, when the salute is taken by a member of the Royal Family.
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.
The four Lightnings will demonstrate the close ties between the UK and US Armed Forces and comprise two F-35B from number 207 Squadron, the United Kingdom’s F-35B Operational Conversion Unit based at RAF Marham, and two F-35As from the 493rd Fighter Squadron, United States Air Force, based at RAF Lakenheath.
It will be the first time US and UK aircraft have flown together for such a visit.
The traditional grand state banquet is set to take place at Windsor Castle in the evening, with both Mr Trump and Charles set to give speeches as the glittering event gets underway.
The banquet will conclude with traditional Scottish airs performed by 12 pipers from the Scots Guards.
Mr Trump will hold talks with Sir Keir Starmer at the Prime Minister’s country residence, Chequers, on Thursday.
