US President Donald Trump’s second state visit to the United Kingdom on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, was nothing short of a spectacle—both inside the regal halls of Windsor Castle and out on the city streets. While Trump received a royal welcome from King Charles III and dined at a lavish state banquet alongside top tech executives and political leaders, thousands of protesters marched through London and Windsor, making clear that not everyone was rolling out the red carpet.
According to TIME, President Trump’s arrival at Windsor Castle marked an unprecedented second state visit, underscoring the evolving relationship between the US and UK. The occasion was steeped in tradition: Union Jacks and American flags lined Thames Street and fluttered throughout the weekend, signaling a moment of diplomatic pageantry. Inside the castle, King Charles III hosted a banquet that Trump later described as an “exquisite honour.” The guest list was a who’s who of global business and politics—Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, and Stephen Schwarzman, CEO of Blackstone, were among those dining, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer seated nearby.
But while the castle doors were open to dignitaries, the streets outside were a different story. Demonstrators from across the political spectrum converged on central London and Windsor, voicing their opposition to Trump’s policies and presence. As The Independent reported, the protests were not monolithic. Supporters and critics clashed, with one Trump backer waving the Union flag, the Israeli flag, and the flag of the British Indian Ocean Territory—an unusual combination that drew as much curiosity as controversy.
Opposition groups such as the East Berkshire Palestine Solidarity Campaign and the Revolutionary Communist Party, the latter with an active branch at the University of Reading, were particularly vocal. The Revolutionary Communist Party, known as Socialist Appeal until May last year, joined forces with student activists to organize a ‘Youth Walk Out Against Trump.’ Adam Gillman, a 19-year-old from the Socialist Students movement and one of the youngest general election candidates in the country last year, was at the forefront of these efforts. Speaking to Jasmine Norden of The Independent, Gillman emphasized the importance of youth activism: “Students think that it’s important that students at schools, colleges and universities get organised and are standing in solidarity with young people fighting back in the United States, in Palestine, and all over the world and saying, ‘as young people we will fight back.’”
Gillman didn’t stop there. He outlined a vision for a government that would “fully fund our public services, get youth clubs back, abolish tuition fees and fight for maintenance grants.” His remarks, echoed by many young protesters, underscored broader discontent with domestic policy as well as international issues.
Meanwhile, the visit’s political ramifications rippled through Parliament and local government. The Liberal Democrats, represented by Clive Jones MP for Wokingham, Lee Dillon MP for Newbury, and Joshua Reynolds MP for Maidenhead, struck a nuanced tone. In a joint statement, they said: “We welcome Trump’s visit as a vital opportunity to pressure him to do more to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and peace in Ukraine. That must include a full resumption of aid into Gaza to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians, an end to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s ever-expanding offensive in the Strip, and the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages still held in captivity by the Hamas terrorists.”
However, the Liberal Democrat MPs also voiced concerns about the strain on local resources caused by the high-profile visit. “We stand firm that the policing of Trump’s visit should not come at the cost of Berkshire residents and their access to reliable policing. We are concerned that the visit could lead to other aspects of policing being neglected and resources funnelled away from communities that need it most.” They called on Matthew Barber, the Conservative police and crime commissioner for Thames Valley Police, to be transparent about both the costs and the impact of the visit on local law enforcement.
While the protests and political debate raged, another seismic development was quietly unfolding behind the castle walls. The BBC reported that, following the Windsor banquet, tech companies pledged a staggering £150 billion investment in the UK. The presence of Tim Cook and Stephen Schwarzman at the state dinner was more than ceremonial—it was a signal of deepening economic ties and mutual interests between Britain and Silicon Valley. For a country grappling with post-Brexit uncertainty and economic headwinds, the announcement offered a rare moment of optimism. The hope, at least among government officials, is that these investments will translate into new jobs, technological innovation, and a more competitive UK economy on the world stage.
Yet, not everyone was convinced the fanfare and funding would outweigh the social and political costs. The protests, which included both peaceful marches and heated exchanges between supporters and opponents, highlighted the deep divisions Trump’s presidency continues to evoke—both in the United States and abroad. The presence of the East Berkshire Palestine Solidarity Campaign and the Revolutionary Communist Party, alongside more mainstream political actors, underscored the wide range of grievances on display. For some, Trump’s stance on international conflicts like Gaza and Ukraine was the central issue; for others, it was his domestic record and the example he sets for young people worldwide.
Even the flags waved during the demonstrations told their own story. The Union flag, Israeli flag, and the flag of the British Indian Ocean Territory—representing the Chagos Islands—became symbols in a broader debate about national identity, foreign policy, and solidarity. The visual clash of banners was a reminder that state visits are never just about protocol and handshakes; they’re about the values and visions that different groups want to see represented on the world stage.
For Trump himself, the visit was an opportunity to reaffirm his stature on the international scene. His description of the banquet as an “exquisite honour” captured the sense of occasion, but also the personal significance he attached to the event. For King Charles III and Prime Minister Starmer, it was a chance to showcase Britain’s enduring relevance and its ability to attract global capital—even as political tensions simmered just outside the castle gates.
In the end, Trump’s second state visit to the UK was a study in contrasts: royal pageantry and public protest, economic promises and political anxieties, unity inside the castle and division outside. Whether the £150 billion investment will have a lasting impact—or whether the concerns raised by protesters and local MPs will lead to meaningful change—remains to be seen. But for one day in September, Windsor Castle was at the center of the world’s attention, a stage for both celebration and dissent.