The US President told the Princess of Wales she was beautiful in one of his first comments of the historic State Visit to the UK.
As Donald Trump stepped onto the manicured, if damp, lawns of Windsor, he was greeted by Prince William and Kate who were waiting for him at the foot of the steps of his helicopter. After shaking hands with the heir to the throne, he greeted the Princess and appeared to tell her she was ‘so beautiful’.
Kate’s back was to the cameras as the comments were made but she appeared to bow her head in acknowledgement.
The Prince and Princess of Wales the walked across a lawn with Donald and Melania Trump and headed to Victoria House, a lesser known property on the Windsor estate.
(Royal Family Instagram still/ fair use)
There, The King and Queen were waiting to greet the US leader and his wife.
Together with the Prince and Princess of Wales, the King and Queen chatted happily with the President and First Lady before the coaches arrived for one of the first spectacular set pieces, the carriage procession to Windsor Castle.
President Trump and King Charles travelled in the Irish State Coach, usually only used by the Monarch, with the national anthems of the US and the UK playing as they departed.
Queen Camilla and Melania Trump followed in the Scottish State Coach which was often used by Queen Elizabeth II and which The King and Queen used during the 2024 Trooping the Colour.
(Royal Family Instagram still/ fair use)
The Prince and Princess of Wales were in the third carriage, a semi-State Landau, and were accompanied by the US Ambassador, Warren Stephens, and his wife.
A Sovereign’s Escort of the Household Cavalry rode at the front of the carriage procession.
(BBC still/ fair use)
The route took the coaches along Frogmore Drive and the George IV Gateway to the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle. Parts of the route were lined with Armed Forces personnel from the Army, Navy and RAF.
On arrival at the Quadrangle, the national anthems were played again and President and Mrs Trump joined The King and Queen on a dais as the military spread out before them. Donald Trump then inspected a Guard of Honour.
(Sgt Rob Kane/ UK MOD © Crown copyright 2025)
There was another chance for him to chat with the Prince and Princess of Wales as he headed inside the castle for lunch with the Royal Family.
Afterwards, it’s understood the President and First Lady had a short, private meeting with William and Kate before their next engagements.
The first day of the State Visit will conclude with a State Banquet.
