Trump’s UK state visit plans sidestep any opportunity for him to address Parliament

During his first state visit in 2019, US President Donald Trump inspected a guard of honour with then-Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace.

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are set to visit the United Kingdom from September 17 to 19 for an “unprecedented” second state visit, extended by King Charles. The palace announced the dates on Sunday, noting that the visit coincides with a recess in the House of Commons, eliminating the possibility of Trump addressing a joint session of Parliament—a move some MPs had sought to block.

King Charles will host the Trumps at Windsor Castle, about an hour outside central London. Buckingham Palace, the usual venue for state visits, is undergoing major renovations this year. Windsor recently hosted French President Emmanuel Macron for his state visit before he attended a summit and addressed Parliament in London.

Traditionally, second-term US presidents are not granted a second state visit. Past presidents such as Barack Obama and George W. Bush were instead invited for lunch or tea with the monarch during their subsequent terms.

This “unprecedented” invitation was extended on King Charles’s behalf by Prime Minister Keir Starmer during his visit to the White House earlier this year, an offer Trump warmly accepted. Although a formal invitation was sent in June, the two leaders have yet to meet this summer due to scheduling conflicts.

“His Majesty has known President Trump for many years and looks forward to hosting him and the First Lady later this year,” a palace aide told International News 24 in June.

The palace also said that more details about the state visit will be announced in due course. As with all state visits, the itinerary will include a full ceremonial welcome and a state banquet, with senior members of the Royal Family expected to participate.

In addition, Trump is scheduled for a private visit to Scotland later this month, where he will meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, according to a Downing Street spokesperson. However, Downing Street clarified that the meeting will not be a formal bilateral engagement.

Trump is also anticipated to attend the opening of a new golf course at his resort in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He owns another golf course, Trump Turnberry, located in Ayrshire, Scotland.

During his first official state visit in 2019, Trump was hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace. However, due to security concerns, there was no public procession along The Mall in London, and he arrived by helicopter.


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