Donald Trump is set to make an unprecedented second state visit to the UK, hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle from September 17 to 19. Accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, this visit marks a significant diplomatic gesture towards the US president, following his first state visit in 2019.

Buckingham Palace confirmed the details of the visit, noting that the House of Commons will be in recess for party conference season, preventing Trump from addressing Parliament as French President Emmanuel Macron did during his recent visit. However, the House of Lords will be in session.

In February, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer presented Trump with a personal invitation from the King during a meeting at the White House. Starmer described the invitation as "truly historic and unprecedented." Trump expressed his gratitude, stating, "this is a great, great honour," and remarked on the significance of meeting at Windsor.

Initially, there were discussions about a potential informal meeting at Balmoral or Dumfries House in Scotland before the state visit. However, logistical challenges and scheduling conflicts for both the King and Trump made this impossible. Precedent for second-term US presidents typically involves a more informal gathering, such as tea or lunch with the monarch, as seen with previous presidents like George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

The announcement of Trump's visit follows a letter from King Charles expressing his condolences regarding the recent flooding in Texas, which resulted in nearly 90 fatalities. The King offered his "deepest sympathy" to those affected during the July Fourth weekend.

In March, Trump had also reached out to the King, wishing him "good health" after Charles experienced temporary side effects from cancer treatment. The upcoming state visit comes after Charles's recent trip to Canada, where he opened the nation’s parliament, symbolising support amid tensions related to Trump's trade policies.

During Macron's recent state visit, he was welcomed with a ceremonial banquet at Windsor Castle, attended by senior members of the royal family and the UK government. As Trump prepares for his visit, it remains to be seen how public sentiment will manifest, given the protests that accompanied his previous trips to the UK.