By The White House from Washington, DC
Former US President Donald Trump will undertake a full state visit to the United Kingdom later this year, following scheduling difficulties that have ruled out an informal summer meeting with King Charles, sources have revealed.
Buckingham Palace has confirmed that a formal invitation—known as the Manu Regia and signed by the King—was hand-delivered to the White House last week by British Embassy officials based in Washington.
Although the precise dates of the visit remain unconfirmed, September is currently being considered the most likely window for the trip.
Despite the King typically spending part of the summer at his Scottish residence and Trump planning to be in Aberdeenshire for the opening of his new golf course, no private meeting between the two men is expected ahead of the formal state visit.
A palace aide told the BBC: “His Majesty has known President Trump for many years and looks forward to hosting him and the First Lady later this year.”
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, addressing Parliament on Wednesday, said: “We are really pleased the US president is coming for a second state visit.”
Trump was previously welcomed by the late Queen Elizabeth II during a three-day state visit in 2019, which took place during his first presidential term.
Formal arrangements for Trump’s second official state visit are now underway.
Back in February, during a visit to the White House, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer delivered a personal letter from King Charles to Trump.
Typically, US presidents in their second term are not extended the full ceremonial honours of a state visit, with informal meetings such as lunch or tea at Windsor Castle serving as the customary alternative.
King Charles’ letter proposed meeting locations for initial discussions, including Dumfries House or Balmoral—both situated in Scotland, a country with which Trump has notable personal and business ties.
Speaking in April, Trump said: “They’re going to do a second, as you know, a second fest… that’s what it is: a fest, and it’s beautiful, and it’s the first time it’s ever happened to one person. And the reason is we have two separate terms, and it’s an honour… I’m a friend of Charles, I have great respect for King Charles and the family, William, we have really just a great respect for the family. And I think they’re setting a date for September.”
However, reports indicate that Buckingham Palace had previously raised concerns over Trump’s antagonistic remarks toward Canada, viewing them as a potential reason to delay the visit.
A senior source quoted by a newspaper claimed that a top Palace official had advised government ministers that the King was reluctant to host a formal state occasion while the US president was “impugning his sovereignty” over Canada.
That same report stated that senior government sources understood the King to be in favour of hosting a state visit later in Trump’s second term.
When asked whether Prime Minister Starmer had overridden the King’s preference by advancing the visit, the prime minister’s spokesperson firmly denied the claim, stating: “That is untrue.”
