
King Charles to host Donald Trump and his wife Melania for state visit in September, Buckingham Palace confirms
The President will be accompanied by his wife, First Lady Melania, on his trip from September 17 to 19, Buckingham Palace said. He was previously feted by a state visit in 2019.
The House of Commons will not be sitting at the time because it will be in recess for the party conference season, meaning he will not be able to address Parliament as French president Emmanuel Macron did during his visit last week.
However, the House of Lords will be sitting.
In February, during a meeting at the White House, Sir Keir Starmer presented Mr Trump with a 'historic and unprecedented' personal invitation from the King inviting him for a second state visit.
In the letter, Charles suggested he and the President might meet at Balmoral or Dumfries House in Scotland before the grander state visit began.
However, it is understood that there were logistical challenges surrounding an informal visit, with complexities in both the King and Mr Trump's diaries meaning a private meeting was not possible over the summer months.
It emerged last week that Police Scotland has been in the early stages of planning for the visit, which is likely to see the President travel to either of his golf clubs in Aberdeenshire or Ayrshire – an event which will require substantial policing resources.
In February, during a meeting at the White House, Sir Keir Starmer presented Mr Trump with a 'historic and unprecedented' personal invitation from the King
Precedent for second-term US Presidents who have already made a state visit is usually tea or lunch with the monarch at Windsor Castle, as was the case for George W Bush and Barack Obama.
The September event comes after Charles visited Canada in May where he opened the nation's parliament.
Many Canadians saw the King's two-day visit to Ottawa as a symbol of support for the country that has faced the unwanted attention of Mr Trump's trade war and threats to annex it.
Last week, Mr Macron and his wife Brigitte were hosted by the King and Queen during his three-day visit.
Mr Macron's itinerary included a glittering banquet at Windsor Castle, a carriage ride through the historic Berkshire town and a ceremonial welcome.
The state dinner was attended by the Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Prime Minister and senior members of the Cabinet.
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