By Fionnuala Boyle
Copyright dailyrecord
Donald Trump is making an unprecedented second state visit to the UK this week, marking a significant moment in UK-US relations. Donald Trump flew to Scotland in late July for a four-day “private” trip before his official state visit in September. The US President’s arrival was his first visit back to the UK since he won the 2024 Presidential Election. He met with with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and First Minister John Swinney, and spent time at his golf resorts in Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire. But what is Trump’s itinerary for today and for this trip ? And how long he is here? The 79-year-old and his wife, Melania, touched down on British soil on Tuesday, September 16, where they were welcomed by the Ambassador of the United States to the Court of St James’s, Warren Stephens. There weren’t any public events on the first day of their visit. Today, Wednesday, September 17, the couple will be greeted by the Prince and Princess of Wales before receiving a formal welcome from the King and Queen, accompanied by a Royal salute fired from the east lawn of Windsor Castle and at the Tower of London, according to the Manchester Evening News . In the afternoon, the Trumps will enjoy a carriage procession through the Windsor estate alongside Charles, Camilla, William and Kate. The route will be lined by members of the Armed Forces, culminating in an inspection of the Guard of Honour at Windsor Castle. The Royal Family will host the Trumps in the State Dining Room, where they’ll be shown a unique display of Royal Collection items linked to the United States , located in the Green Drawing Room. Later that day, they’ll pay their respects at Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb in St George’s Chapel, Windsor, laying a wreath and enjoying a brief tour of the chapel, accompanied by a performance from the chapel choir. A traditional state banquet is set for Wednesday evening in St George’s Hall at the castle, where both the King and the 47th US president will give speeches. On Thursday, Mr Trump will be welcomed by an RAF Halton guard of honour upon his arrival at Chequers in Buckinghamshire, where he’ll meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his wife, Lady Victoria. Before their press conference, the two political leaders will peruse the Winston Churchill archives. Simultaneously, the Queen will guide Mrs Trump on a tour of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House and the Royal Library at Windsor Castle. The first lady will then join the Princess of Wales , co-president of the Scout Association, to meet Chief Scout Dwayne Fields at Frogmore Gardens. Mrs Trump will reunite with her husband at Chequers before they depart for their return flight to the US. This means The US President and the First Lady will be in the UK for a total of three days. Not everyone is overjoyed about the US head of state’s presence in the UK , though. A huge anti-Trump demo, The Stop Trump Coalition march, will kick off near Regent’s Park and travel towards Parliament Square from 3pm, going through some of London’s key roads. Around 50 unions and charities are expected to gather for today’s protest. More than 1,600 officers will assemble in central London as a result, including 500 officers from other forces, the Met Police says.
