King Charles and Queen Camilla reveal just how they’re preparing for the State Visit from Donald Trump

With just days to go until one of the most important State Visits of recent years, King Charles is giving us all a clue about how he plans to welcome Donald Trump on this crucial stay.

Ahead of the US President arriving at Windsor Castle for two days of pomp and pageantry designed to strengthen relations between America and the UK, the Royal Family has been giving some behind the scenes peeks at what’s been going on in the run up to this big event.

In a series of social media posts, the royals have revealed just how they’re preparing for the State Visit. This one has a real ring of history to it as it’s the first time that an elected politician has been given the honour of a second State Visit to the UK. Donald Trump’s first State Visit was in 2019 during his first term in office. It was also the last State Visit that Queen Elizabeth II hosted in her 70 year reign.

Along with his wife, Melania, President Trump is set to arrive in Windsor on September 17 where he will be given a full ceremonial welcome. The Prince and Princess of Wales will meet him on the Windsor estate and accompany him to the official welcome ceremony which will see President Trump join King Charles at the head of a carriage procession that will end inside Windsor Castle.

That means a crucial role for the Royal Mews and in the first video showcasing the work being put into this State Visit, one of the Senior Liveried Helpers, Charlotte Watson, explained just how much work goes into ensuring the carriages and horses are ready and looking their best for the first real showpiece event of any State Visit, the procession.

As we’d expect from the Royal Family, who are known for their love of animals, the horses pulling the carriages are well looked after and emphasis is placed on preparing them so that they’re as relaxed and comfortable as they can be before, during and after the setpiece event.

The first day of the State Visit will also see Donald and Melania Trump hosted for lunch inside Windsor Castle. Every State Visit begins with a similar meal where the Royal Family will be expected to turn out in force to greet their guests. After they’ve finished eating, the whole lunch party views an exhibition of items from the Royal Collection that highlight the relationship between the two countries.

The Royal Collection Trust has spent months combing the archives to find the most striking and appropriate pieces and their work has been put on show in another video which has given us all a glimpse of life in the royal library.

Under the guidance of Stella Panayotova, the Royal Librarian and Assistant Keeper of the Royal Archives, the tour shows just how items are chosen. Priorities include pieces that are ”intellectually enticing” according to Dr. Panayotova and they must be historically significant.

The biggest stand out moment of any State Visit is the State Banquet, held on the first evening of the trip. The Royal Family will again be out in large numbers with tiaras and historic jewels worn to add another element of pageantry and underline the importance of the trip and the two countries involved in it.

It’s also the setting for the big speeches of the visit with both King Charles and Donald Trump addressing guests gathered inside Windsor Castle. Their words will highlight the value both countries and their governments place on the trip and highlight what they hope will be the characteristics of the relationship between the two going forward.

However, the guests have got to eat and so weeks of work have already gone into preparing a banquet literally fit for a king as well as for a president.

While we’re often treated to a quick photo of the food before a State Banquet, the royals have put more of that prep work on show this time with the third of their behind the scenes glimpses of the countdown.

The Royal Chef, Mark Flanagan, welcomed cameras into his kitchen as the work to create this banquet continued. This meal is designed to spotlight the very best of British ingredients and The King and Queen’s well known love of sustainability and local produce will be at the heart of the dinner.

He revealed that he and his team make suggestions for the State Banquet, looking at the produce available across all the royal estates but that ”ultimately, Their Majesties will make the ultimate decisions.”

Queen Camilla also takes the lead on ensuring the banquet room looks perfect and is often seen inspecting the tables and arrangements in the hours leading up to a State Banquet.

US President Donald Trump arrives in Windsor on September 17 and will depart on September 18 for meetings at Chequers with the Prime Minister.