As the United Kingdom prepares to host U.S. President Donald Trump for a high-profile state visit from September 17 to 19, 2025, the British royal family finds itself at the center of both reflection and renewed public attention. The visit, which will see President Trump pay his respects at the tomb of the late Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle, comes at a time when the monarchy is marking significant anniversaries and navigating a period of transition and remembrance.
President Trump’s itinerary is packed with ceremonial and diplomatic engagements. According to BBC News, he will be greeted by the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Catherine, before receiving a formal welcome from King Charles and Queen Camilla. The royal salute will echo across Windsor and the Tower of London, accompanied by a dramatic flypast featuring UK and US F-35 military jets and the Red Arrows. Following a state lunch, Trump will privately honor the late Queen Elizabeth II at St George’s Chapel, a moment that underscores the enduring bonds between the two nations and their leaders.
That evening, Windsor Castle will host a traditional state banquet, where both King Charles and President Trump are set to deliver speeches. The event, however, is not without controversy. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has announced he will boycott the banquet, citing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. As he put it, his absence is intended to "send a message" about the UK’s stance on global humanitarian issues, highlighting the intersection of royal pageantry and political protest.
The second day of the visit will see President Trump received at Chequers, the prime minister’s country residence in Buckinghamshire, with a guard of honor from RAF Halton and the sound of bagpipes. There, he will meet with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Lady Victoria, and take a personal tour of the Sir Winston Churchill archives. Starmer, who extended the official invitation to Trump on behalf of the King during a White House meeting earlier this year, is expected to discuss the future of UK-US trade relations in what promises to be a closely watched bilateral meeting.
Meanwhile, Melania Trump’s schedule will include a tour of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House—a remarkable replica Edwardian residence gifted to Queen Mary after World War One—and the Royal Library at Windsor Castle. She will also join the Princess of Wales at Frogmore Gardens to meet members of the Scouts movement, reflecting the royal family’s ongoing commitment to youth engagement and public service.
The state visit is set against a backdrop of both celebration and commemoration. Earlier this week, the UK marked the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s death on September 8, 2025. As reported by The Mirror, former Palace butler Paul Burrell revealed a poignant detail about the late Queen’s final year. When informed of her terminal illness in 2021, the Queen’s stoic response reportedly was, "Next year is my Platinum Jubilee year and I'd quite like to have seen that. Can you keep me alive for that?" True to her wish, the Queen lived to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee in June 2022, only a few months before her passing.
A final public image of Queen Elizabeth II, released just two days before her death, showed her shaking hands with then-newly appointed Prime Minister Liz Truss at Balmoral Castle. This meeting broke with tradition—usually, new prime ministers are received at Buckingham Palace—but the Queen’s mobility issues necessitated the change. The moment, captured for history, symbolized both her enduring sense of duty and the adaptability that marked her reign.
In the present, the royal family continues to shape headlines with a blend of tradition, personal milestones, and public service. Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, recently completed a four-day visit to the UK, culminating in a heartfelt appearance at the Diana Award event. There, he spoke passionately about the importance of young people’s agency, stating, "Getting involved in peaceful social action takes courage and determination. Young people see the issues society faces close up—whether that’s poor mental health or the consequences of inequalities. But you don't stand still; your empathy and compassion drive you to make change." According to HELLO! Magazine, Harry also reflected on his mother Princess Diana’s legacy, emphasizing the need for youth empowerment and action.
Significantly, Harry’s visit included a long-awaited reunion with King Charles—their first meeting in over a year. The encounter, which followed the King’s return to London after a period in Scotland, has sparked speculation about a possible thaw in their relationship. Club polls conducted by HELLO! indicated that 61 percent of respondents welcomed the father-son reunion, suggesting a public appetite for reconciliation within the royal ranks.
Elsewhere, Princess Kate and Princess Anne maintained busy schedules, with Kate carrying out engagements in Suffolk and Kent, and Anne apologizing for the cancellation of two events in Northern Ireland due to technical issues with her aircraft. Prince William, meanwhile, visited the Principality Stadium to support the Jac Lewis Foundation’s new mental health hub, an initiative coinciding with World Suicide Prevention Day. William praised the foundation’s work, stating, "Your work to provide rapid mental health support and wellbeing services across Wales is truly inspiring." The royal family’s focus on mental health and community support remains a prominent theme in their public engagements.
The week also saw personal milestones and poignant farewells. James Middleton, brother of the Princess of Wales, celebrated his fourth wedding anniversary with Alizee Thevenet. Meanwhile, an online book of condolence was opened for the Duchess of Kent, who passed away on September 4 at the age of 92. Her Catholic funeral is scheduled for the following week at Westminster Abbey, allowing the public and the royal family to honor her legacy.
Internationally, royal news extended beyond the UK. Prince Laurent of Belgium publicly acknowledged his 25-year-old son, Clement Vandenkerckhove, in a statement to Belga News Agency. Laurent emphasized the importance of discretion, writing, "With this announcement, I acknowledge that I am the biological father of Clement Vandenkerckhove. We have spoken openly and honestly about this in recent years." His request for privacy reflects the delicate balance between public interest and personal boundaries that all royals must navigate.
As preparations intensify for President Trump’s visit, not all voices are welcoming. The Stop Trump coalition is organizing a "Trump Not Welcome" demonstration in London on September 17, accusing the president of "denying climate science" and "siding with war criminals—in Israel, Russia and beyond." The protest highlights the continuing friction between ceremonial diplomacy and grassroots activism, a dynamic that has become increasingly visible during high-profile state visits.
Since his accession in September 2022, King Charles has hosted several international leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte earlier this year. Each visit has served as both a diplomatic gesture and a testament to the monarchy’s evolving role on the global stage.
In a week marked by remembrance, reunion, and anticipation, the British royal family stands as a symbol of continuity and adaptation. Whether honoring the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II, fostering reconciliation, or navigating the complexities of international diplomacy, the royals continue to captivate and challenge public expectations—reminding the world that tradition and change are, at their best, partners in progress.
