It’s that man again. Donald Trump has dominated 2024 and, as he prepares to enter the White House for a second term as US president, a royal first is beckoning for the man who has made no secret of his admiration for the Monarchy.
It’s reported that a second State Visit to the UK is on the table for Donald Trump once his tenure as 47th President of the United States of America is under way. And he’d be the first elected politician in modern times to be hosted twice by Buckingham Palace on a State Visit.
Usually, these spectacular events, packed with ceremonial, are one hit wonders for world leaders. But Donald Trump is well known as a fan of The King and his family, while his admiration for Queen Elizabeth II has been put on the record many times, and now The Daily Telegraph is reporting that the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, wants to make the most of that.
The ‘special relationship’ between the US and the UK remains a priority for the PM and a State Visit is understood to be a priority once Donald Trump is back in the Oval Office. The incoming President spoke of how much he enjoyed his relationship with the royals in an interview during the recent campaign when he was filmed talking his way through a book of photos of him with Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles.
A State Visit in 2025 could also be timed to allow for the US President to join King Charles at commemorations for the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
(The White House from Washington, DC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)
However, it would be somewhat different from his 2019 State Visit – the last that would be hosted by Queen Elizabeth II. Then, Buckingham Palace was the setting for the ceremonial events. However, the London home of King Charles is now closed up for official events because of restoration work. All State Visits, until 2027 at the earliest, will be hosted at Windsor Castle.
That might prove to be a logistical blessing. In 2019, security was extra tight for the State Visit as protesters took to the streets, complete with a giant balloon caricature of the President. There was no carriage procession and the official welcome took place in the Palace Gardens rather than Horse Guards Parade. A State Visit at Windsor Castle would, in all likelihood, see an official welcome within the ancient palace walls, well away from any potential protests.
Donald Trump is familiar with Windsor Castle. He was welcomed on an official visit there by Queen Elizabeth II in the early part of his first presidency, famously walking in front of the late Monarch while they inspected the guard before stopping as she caught him up.
Donald Trump wouldn’t be the only world leader to get two State Visits but the only one elected to office to receive the honour. In the 20th century, King Olav V of Norway, a relative and close friend of Queen Elizabeth II, was hosted twice as was Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. But the former Danish monarch might not be the best topic of conversation at any upcoming State Banquet for the No 47 – her own plans to host Donald Trump in Copenhagen in his first presidency were cancelled when he asked to buy Greenland and she refused.
Royal history and a very interesting year beckon.
