President Donald Trump is set to meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the prime minister's official country residence on Thursday. This meeting marks the second day of Trump's historic second state visit to the U.K., which commenced with a grand welcome from the royal family at Windsor Castle on Wednesday. The bilateral meeting will take place at Chequers, the prime minister's estate located in Buckinghamshire, just north of London.
Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are expected to depart Windsor Castle at 10:30 a.m. local time (5:30 a.m. ET) following a farewell ceremony featuring King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Their meeting with Prime Minister Starmer is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. local time, followed by a press conference at 2:20 p.m. This visit is significant as it addresses multiple pressing global issues, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the escalating threat to NATO, and the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where Israel's offensive is intensifying.
Trump's visit comes on the heels of a significant diplomatic engagement where Prime Minister Starmer, along with other European leaders, visited the White House to meet with both Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after Trump's summit in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During that meeting, allies expressed optimism regarding security guarantees, but subsequent progress has been elusive.
Following their engagements in London, Trump and Melania are expected to leave the city shortly after 5 p.m. local time, aiming to arrive back at the White House by 8:10 p.m. ET.
On Wednesday, Trump was welcomed at Windsor Castle with an elaborate military reception by the royal family. A significant crowd of thousands gathered in central London to protest against Trump, many holding anti-Trump signs and Palestinian flags. During their tour of Windsor Castle, the Trumps participated in a poignant moment by laying a wreath on the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II during a service at the castle's chapel, followed by interactions with children and a chapel tour.
Later, the Trumps attended a lavish state banquet, mingling with notable figures such as Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman, Rupert Murdoch, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. During the banquet, King Charles emphasized the enduring special relationship between the U.S. and the U.K., highlighting the shared values and sacrifices of both nations. He remarked, “The ocean may still divide us, but in so many ways we are now the closest of kin.”
In response, Trump expressed gratitude towards Charles and acknowledged the monarchy's efforts to preserve history, support the less fortunate, and champion soldiers. He also mentioned the Prince and Princess of Wales, praising Kate's health and beauty. Trump reflected on the U.K.'s historical contributions, stating that it laid the groundwork for law and liberty. He reaffirmed the irreplaceable bond between the U.S. and the U.K., emphasizing the importance of defending their shared heritage and values.
This visit by President Trump not only underscores the significance of U.S.-U.K. relations but also highlights the ongoing challenges faced by global leaders in a rapidly changing world. The discussions held during this visit may shape future diplomatic strategies regarding international security and cooperation.
ABC News contributors including Michelle Stoddart, Zoe Magee, Isabella Murray, Joseph Simonetti, and Ivan Pereira provided insights for this report.
