Donald Trump has touched down at Windsor Castle, making history as the first political leader ever invited for two state visits by the British monarchy.

The former US president, 79, and his wife Melania, 55, arrived on Tuesday (16 September), first landing in London aboard Air Force One before transferring to Marine One for a helicopter flight over the grounds of Windsor. After circling the estate several times, they landed at the castle, where they were formally greeted by the Prince and Princess of Wales, alongside King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

The arrival was marked with full ceremonial pageantry. The couple joined the King, Queen, William, and Kate in a carriage procession through Windsor’s gardens, flanked by members of the British military. A royal salute with six First World War-era guns was scheduled for midday, both at Windsor and at the Tower of London.

Melania’s Hat Steals the Show

While the visit carried diplomatic weight, much of the chatter online quickly turned to Melania Trump’s striking wardrobe choice. The former First Lady stepped out in a charcoal-grey suit paired with an oversized wide-brimmed hat — a look that had social media buzzing.

“Melania has deployed the big hat,” one user joked on X, while another quipped, “I’m sure I saw Melania’s hat on sale yesterday in the John Lewis lighting department.” Others compared the look to her controversial black-and-white outfit from Donald Trump’s inauguration.

Despite the light-hearted jabs, Melania’s bold choice ensured all eyes were firmly on her as she joined the royals for the day’s engagements.

State Visit Agenda

The historic visit will see Trump and his wife welcomed into Windsor Castle for a formal inspection of the guard of honour, followed by a state lunch hosted by Charles and Camilla. Later, the president will be shown US-related treasures from the Royal Collection before laying a wreath at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II.

The evening program includes a performance by the chapel choir, a Beating Retreat ceremony with a military flypast, and a state banquet, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also in attendance.

Camilla’s appearance had initially been in doubt after reports that the Queen was suffering from acute sinusitis, but palace officials confirmed she was well enough to participate.

Talks Ahead

Beyond the pageantry, Trump’s second state visit comes with serious political undertones. Lord Kim Darroch, former UK ambassador to the US, told Sky News that discussions will likely be dominated by global security and economic issues.

“Security is tightly bound with America,” he said. “This is a real opportunity to cement those links. Difficult discussions are possible on Ukraine, since the American proposal seems to be that if Europe wants the US to put more pressure on Putin, we must be prepared to levy heavy tariffs on China and India over their oil purchases from Russia. We all want to pressure Putin, but that proposal is very, very tricky.”

With both pomp and politics on the agenda, Trump’s return to Windsor Castle is shaping up to be a state visit that blends spectacle with high-stakes diplomacy.