King Charles: Trump to Get Full Windsor Treatment!
President Trump and King Charles III, then The Prince of Wales, at The Winfield House, 2019. Photo courtesy of the Office of White House Press Secretary. Public domain.
A royal second act is in the works — and it's rewriting the rules of diplomatic pageantry. President Donald Trump is poised to make history yet again, becoming the first U.S. president ever to receive a second state visit from the British monarchy. And this isn't just a polite tea at the palace — it's the full Windsor treatment.
While critics abroad grumble and headlines buzz, the crown and the White House are rolling out the red carpets for a September soiree steeped in tradition, symbolism, and a splash of personal flair.
A Historic Invitation Hand-Delivered
King Charles III extended the unprecedented invitation via a "manu regia" — a hand-signed royal summons — delivered in person by U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a February Oval Office meeting, as reported by the New York Post.
While Buckingham Palace typically needs several months to plan a state visit, Starmer reportedly urged the King to speed things up, moving the event forward to 2025.
The King's gesture wasn't just ceremonial. According to palace aides, Charles has known President Trump "for many years" and is looking forward to hosting both him and First Lady Melania Trump at Windsor Castle, as reported by the New York Post.
A Personal Royal Touch
But it's not just politics. As Melania Trump revealed in her memoir "Melania," the Trumps maintain an ongoing pen-pal relationship with King Charles himself. "We exchange letters with King Charles to this day," Melania wrote, recalling past meetings that date back to 2005 and emphasizing a shared interest in environmental conservation, according to PEOPLE.
That bond — unlikely to some, endearing to others — adds an unusually personal layer to this high-profile diplomatic affair.
Not Everyone Is Pleased
While the Trumps and the palace prepare for another royal rendezvous, not all members of the Commonwealth are rolling out the welcome mat. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney publicly criticized the decision, saying he and the Canadian people were "not impressed" and raising concerns over Trump's past remarks suggesting Canada could become America's 51st state, according to Global News.
King Charles, who also serves as Canada's head of state, addressed the controversy during a recent speech to the Canadian Parliament. Without naming names, he reaffirmed Canada's sovereignty, declaring it "strong and free" — a subtle rebuke wrapped in royal decorum, according to the New York Post.
Planning Around the Politics
Though the palace initially envisioned a slower rollout for Trump's second visit, Starmer's maneuvering reflects the U.K.'s desire to reaffirm the so-called "special relationship" between the two countries at a volatile moment in global politics, according to ABC 17 News.
Trump is set to return to Scotland this summer, and early speculation suggested an informal meeting with the King at Balmoral Castle. Those plans were reportedly scrapped for logistical reasons.
Instead, September's official state visit at Windsor Castle will be anything but casual — packed with ceremonial processions, banquets, and behind-the-scenes power optics between two longtime allies.
What's Next?
The visit could carry implications far beyond royal fanfare. Trump's admiration for the monarchy is no secret, and his remarks following the 2019 visit — when Queen Elizabeth II hosted him — included claims he was her "favorite president," as reported by PEOPLE.
But this time, with the King in charge and the world watching, Trump's encore on the world stage could either fortify transatlantic ties or invite a new round of controversy. One thing is clear: the spectacle at Windsor Castle promises more than pomp — it's political theater at its most polished.
References: King Charles "Looks Forward" To The Long Hang With Donald Trump He Just Put in His Calendar | King Charles to Welcome Trump at Windsor Castle as State Visit Is Brought Forward: Report | Melania Trump Says King Charles Is Her Pen Pal 'to This Day' in New Memoir | Canadians 'weren't impressed' by U.K.'s invite for Trump state visit: Carney | What did King Charles say in his letter to Donald Trump?
