UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Donald Trump will make a second UK state visit this year, but plans for an informal meeting with King Charles were dropped due to scheduling conflicts.
As reported by The Guardian, President Trump will return for a full UK state visit, but summer scheduling conflicts have ruled out an informal meeting with King Charles.
A hand-signed royal invitation, known as the manu regia, was personally delivered to the White House by British diplomats based in Washington.
Why won’t King Charles and Trump meet before the state visit?
In a letter passed to President Trump by PM Keir Starmer in February, King Charles suggested meeting at Balmoral or Dumfries House ahead of the formal state visit.
Scheduling conflicts have ruled out a summer meeting, prompting officials to proceed with formal arrangements for the state visit.
A Buckingham Palace aide stated,
“His Majesty has known President Trump for many years and looks forward to hosting him and the first lady later this year.”
Charles will travel to Scotland for his annual summer retreat, as Donald Trump plans to visit his newly built golf course in Aberdeenshire once it opens.
All parties are said to understand and accept the logistical reasons preventing a private meeting ahead of the official state visit.
Officials say the state visit date will be revealed soon, with September seen as the most probable timeframe.
What did Keir Starmer do that went against King Charles’s wishes?
The Times reported that Keir Starmer defied King Charles’s preference by advancing Trump’s state visit, despite royal concerns over Canada-related threats.
The Times reported that the prime minister rejected the original plan for an informal meeting and instead fast-tracked a full ceremonial visit to appeal to Trump’s interest in the royal family.
The newspaper said the palace had favoured a more gradual lead-up to the state visit, especially amid Trump’s remarks about turning Canada into the US’s 51st state.
Why did the UK offer Trump another full state visit?
Donald Trump first visited the UK on a state visit in 2019, where he was officially received by Queen Elizabeth II.
In line with past protocol, leaders like Bush and Obama were hosted for tea or lunch with the monarch at Windsor Castle during their terms, rather than a full state visit.
However, Trump becomes the first US president to make a rare second state visit to the UK, a move not previously offered to any American leader.
US Presidential visits to the UK (1918–2025)
1. Woodrow Wilson (1918)
- Dates: December 26–28, 1918
2. Harry S. Truman (1945)
- Dates: August 2, 1945
3. Dwight D. Eisenhower (1959)
- Dates: August 27 – September 2, 1959
4. John F. Kennedy (1961 & 1963)
- 1961 (June 4-5)
- 1963 (June 29-30)
5. Richard Nixon (1969–1970)
- 1969 (February 24-26)
- 1970 (October 3)
6. Ronald Reagan (1982–1988)
- 1982 (June 7-9)
- 1984 & 1988
7. George H.W. Bush (1989–1991)
- 1989 (May 31-June 2)
- 1991 (July 14-18)
8. Bill Clinton (1994-2000)
- 1994 (June 4-5)
- 1995 (November 28-December 1)
9. George W. Bush (2001-2008)
- 2003 (November 18-21)
- 2008 (June 15-16)
10. Barack Obama (2009–2016)
- 2011 (May 23-26)
- 2016 (April 21-24)
11. Donald Trump (2018-2019, 2025)
- 2018 (July 12-14)
- 2019 (June 3-5)
- 2025 (September, planned)