Trump’s Second UK State Visit Marred by Timing Snags and Protocol Whispers
The pomp and ceremony surrounding Donald Trump’s second official state visit to the United Kingdom were meant to showcase unity, tradition, and diplomatic grandeur — yet murmurs of protocol breaches emerged almost immediately.
From the moment Marine One circled overhead, arriving later than scheduled, tensions quietly simmered beneath the regal spectacle. Royal observers quickly honed in on one key detail: King Charles III was left waiting, a faux pas that, if past reactions are any indicator, likely did not sit well with the monarch.
Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump sparked early controversy during their visit after reportedly arriving late and leaving senior royals waiting. According to The Mirror, the Trumps were slated to meet Prince William and Kate Middleton at precisely 12 p.m. on September 17, but Marine One didn’t land in Windsor Castle’s walled garden until approximately 12:16 p.m.
Once on the ground, the couple was escorted by the Prince and Princess of Wales to Victoria House, where King Charles and Queen Camilla awaited their arrival.
While Buckingham Palace maintains there are no rigid rules governing royal meetings, long-standing traditions such as bowing, curtsying, and using formal titles like “Your Majesty” are commonly observed. However, timing appears to be one aspect where King Charles shows little tolerance for delays.
During his coronation in May 2023, Charles and Camilla arrived early but were left waiting in their carriage outside Westminster Abbey. A lipreader later revealed the King had remarked, “We can never be on time… this is boring.”
This time around, King Charles arrived at Windsor at 12:02 p.m. and was reportedly seen inside Victoria House observing Trump’s helicopter touch down more than ten minutes behind schedule.
After their greetings, the two couples joined a ceremonial carriage procession through Windsor’s grounds. The procession featured 22 half-companies from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army, and Royal Air Force, supported by around 120 horses and over 1,300 servicemen and women.
Initially, Queen Camilla’s attendance was uncertain due to acute sinusitis, but she appeared in good spirits and was spotted chatting amiably with Melania Trump during the procession.
Meanwhile, King Charles and Donald Trump shared conversation aboard one carriage, followed closely by Prince William and Kate Middleton in another. The American and British national anthems played as the carriages traversed the parkland, heightening the occasion’s stately atmosphere.
The Trumps’ itinerary includes inspecting the guard of honour, attending a state lunch, and viewing U.S.-related artifacts from the Royal Collection. A royal salute will also be fired in Trump’s honour at Windsor Castle and the Tower of London, and he is expected to lay a wreath at Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb.
This marks Trump’s second official state visit to Britain, following his 2019 trip hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
🔹 Conclusion
What was meant to be a flawless display of royal pageantry has already been overshadowed by whispers of protocol missteps. By keeping King Charles waiting, Donald Trump may have echoed one of his most talked-about faux pas from his 2019 visit — showing disregard for royal timing and etiquette. With several high-profile events still to come, all eyes will be on whether the former U.S. president can adhere to royal traditions or if this visit, too, will be remembered more for its controversies than its ceremonies.