Donald Trump has said it was a ”real honour” to pay a private visit to the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II.
The US President and his wife, Melania, spent ten minutes inside the small King George VI Chapel in St. George’s where Her Late Majesty was laid to rest beside her parents and her husband, Prince Philip.
A simple stone marks her grave and it’s understood that President Trump laid flowers and spent time in quiet reflection at the graveside.
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The US leader often spoke of his admiration for Queen Elizabeth II, who he met several times. It was the late Queen who hosted his first State Visit to the UK in 2019 at Buckingham Palace.
The visit to St. George’s Chapel also saw Mr and Mrs Trump given a tour of the ancient church.
A special musical performance by the famous choir was also put on for them.
(Royal Family Instagram still/ fair use)
The visit came just after a lunch with the Royal Family inside Windsor Castle, hosted by The King and Queen.
Donald and Melania Trump also held a private meeting with the Prince and Princess of Wales after the lunch which is said to have gone very well.
It was William and Kate who greeted them as they stepped off Marine One after touching down inside the Windsor estate.
(Royal Family Instagram still/ fair use)
Mr Trump appears to have told the Princess she was ‘beautiful’ as they met on the lawn before all four walked to nearby Victoria House where The King and Queen were waiting to welcome their guests.
Another honour followed for Mr Trump as he was given pride of place inside the Irish State Coach for the carriage procession. That coach is usually the preserve of the Monarch and their consort.
The official welcome also included a spectacular military parade on the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle with President Trump inspecting a Guard of Honour.
(Sgt Rob Kane/ UK MOD © Crown copyright 2025)
King Charles joked with his guest to take care around the sword which was being waved by the commanding officer they spoke to.
The first day of the State Visit also saw a Beating the Retreat ceremony put on for the President followed by a flypast involving the Red Arrows.
That’s not usually part of a State Visit and shows the extra care being taken to make Mr. Trump’s stay as prestitigious as possible.
The first day will conclude with a State Banquet.
