President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have accepted an invitation from King Charles for an "unprecedented" state visit to the United Kingdom. The invitation was in a letter delivered to the president by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during his visit to the White House on Thursday. "This is really special. This has never happened before. This is unprecedented," the prime minister said.
"I think that just symbolizes the strength of the relationship between us. This is a very special letter. I think the last state visit was a tremendous success," the prime minister added. "His Majesty the King wants to make this even better than that, so this is truly historic. An unprecedented second state visit."
Asked by the prime minister for his answer, the president said, "The answer is yes, on behalf our wonderful First Lady Melania and myself, the answer is yes and we look forward to being there and honoring the King and honoring really your country. Your country is a fantastic country and it will be our honor to be there."
The president revealed that the King's letter said Windsor Castle. The Times reported back in November that there would be "no more state visits held at Buckingham Palace for the next three years, as it undergoes one of the biggest upheavals in its history," and instead "all state visits" would "take place at Windsor Castle until 2027."
President Trump described His Majesty as a "beautiful" and "wonderful man" on Thursday. He said, "[I’ve] gotten to know him very well actually, first term and now, a second term."
During his first term, the president and First Lady Melania paid a state visit to the UK at the invitation of Queen Elizabeth. The year before their state visit, the first couple met with Charles' mother at Windsor Castle. At the state banquet in 2019, Queen Elizabeth said, "I am delighted to welcome you and Mrs Trump to Buckingham Palace this evening, just twelve months after our first meeting at Windsor. Visits by American Presidents always remind us of the close and longstanding friendship between the United Kingdom and the United States, and I am so glad that we have another opportunity to demonstrate the immense importance that both our countries attach to our relationship."
In her memoir, Melania revealed that when she and Donald said goodbye to Queen Elizabeth, they "extended a cordial invitation for her return visit to the United States." The first lady recalled, “She expressed her gratitude with a warm smile. Sadly, Her Majesty wasn’t able to visit with us again before her death in 2022, but our friendship with the Royal Family continues, and we exchange letters with King Charles to this day."
King Charles congratulated the president on his inauguration last month. According to HOLA! USA's sister brand HELLO!, His Majesty sent a personal message of congratulations to the 47th president of the United States, which is understood to have touched on the enduring relationship between the UK and the US.