Historic US state visit to the UK kicks off

The historic state visit of President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump has begun.

The two-day state visit began on 17 September with an official welcome by the Prince and Princess of Wales, who escorted the presidential couple to Victoria House to meet King Charles and Queen Camilla.

Picture by Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace

A carriage procession through the grounds of Windsor Castle then took place with the King and President in the first carriage. The First Lady and Queen followed in the second carriage.

After a royal salute, the national anthems were played before the King and President inspected the Guard of Honour.

Picture by Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace

Inside Windsor Castle, the traditional gift exchange took place. Trump was gifted a “bespoke, hand-bound leather volume specially crafted by the Royal Bindery in Windsor Castle, to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence,” according to Buckingham Palace.

He and the First Lady presented the King with a replica of a President Eisenhower Sword and the Queen with a Tiffany & Co. Vintage 18K Gold, Diamond & Ruby Flower Brooch.

In the evening, King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted a state banquet at Windsor Castle. The Prince and Princess of Wales, Princess Royal and Sir Timothy Laurence, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester also attended.

Picture by Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace

Both King Charles and President Trump delivered remarks during the dinner, praising the special relationship between the UK and the US.

King Charles reflected on the US’s founding and how the two countries went from enemies to staunch allies:

“Mr President, as we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence next year, it is remarkable to think just how far we have come. I cannot help but wonder what our forebears from 1776 would make of this friendship today.

“The rebel commander and pioneering first President, George Washington, famously vowed never to set foot on British soil. And my five times Great Grandfather, King George III, for his part, did not spare his words when he spoke of the revolutionary leaders.

“Today, however, we celebrate a relationship between our two countries that surely neither Washington nor King George III could have imagined. The ocean may still divide us, but in so many other ways we are now the closest of kin.”

Queen Camilla and the US First Lady. Photo: Screenshot/US government work/public domain

His Majesty also shared his fondness for the American people and made a joke about what could have been.

He said: “Throughout my life, from my very first visit to the United States in 1970 and over twenty visits since that time, I have cherished the close ties between the British and American people. In fact, had the media succeeded in the 1970s in their own attempt at deepening the special relationship, I myself might have been married off within the Nixon family!”

The King concluded, remarking, “The bond between our two nations is indeed a remarkable one. Forged in the fire of conflict, it has been fortified through our shared endeavours and burnished by the deep affection between our people.”

The state visit concludes on 18 September.