WINDSOR, England (AP) 鈥 It鈥檚 the sort of experience you just can鈥檛 buy.
The carriages are being polished, the family silver is being laid out, and diamonds are being dusted off as prepares to offer a royal welcome to Donald Trump for what will be the highlight of the U.S. president’s unprecedented second state visit to Britain.
Hundreds of soldiers, gardeners and chefs are putting the finishing touches on their preparations to make sure the president and first lady Melania Trump get the full royal treatment. But it鈥檚 a spectacle with a purpose: to bolster ties with a world leader known for a love of bling at a time when his policies are putting pressure on trade and security arrangements globally.
The second leg of the visit will take place on Thursday, when Trump and Starmer meet at Chequers, the 16th-century redbrick mansion in the Chiltern Hills northwest of London that serves as the official country estate of British prime ministers. The government hopes a technology deal to be signed during the trip will underline the trans-Atlantic bond remains strong despite differences over , the Middle East and the future of NATO.
The backdrop for day one will be , an almost 1,000-year-old royal residence with gilded interiors, crenelated towers and priceless artworks.
It鈥檚 a scene that has seemed to enchant Trump, who ditched his trademark bluster and described the invitation to Windsor as 鈥渁 great, great honor.鈥
鈥淚 think that also is why he seems so visibly excited about the second meeting, because it isn鈥檛 an invitation given to (just) anyone,鈥 said George Gross, an expert on the British monarchy at King鈥檚 College London.
Trump said Tuesday after arriving in London that he loved being back in the United Kingdom, calling it a 鈥渧ery special place.鈥 Asked if he had a message for Charles, he said the king was a longtime friend of his and well-respected.
While Britain鈥檚 royals long ago gave up real political power, their history, tradition and celebrity give them a cachet that means presidents and prime ministers covet an invitation to join them. That makes the invitations, handed out at the request of the elected government, a powerful tool to reward friends and wring concessions out of reluctant allies.
State banquet
No U.S. president, or any other world leader, has ever had the honor of a . That won鈥檛 be lost on a president who often describes his actions with superlatives and has made no secret of his fondness for the British royals.
The day will begin when the king and formally welcome the Trumps to Windsor Castle.
That will be followed by a horse-drawn carriage ride through the estate 鈥 6,400 hectares (15,800 acres) of farms, forest and open space that includes a one-time royal hunting ground which is still home to 500 red deer.
Back at the castle, a military band will play 鈥淕od Save the King鈥 and 鈥淭he Star-Spangled Banner鈥 before Trump and the king inspect an honor guard of soldiers in traditional scarlet tunics and tall bearskin hats.
After a private lunch and a visit to an exhibit of documents and artwork illustrating the ties between Britain and the U.S., it will be time for the glitz and glamour of a state banquet.
Tiaras and medals will be on display as up to 160 guests in formal wear gather around a 50-meter long mahogany table set with 200-year-old silver to honor the president. Charles will deliver a speech, then the king and president will offer toasts.
Trump won鈥檛, however, have the chance to address a joint session of Parliament in July during his , because the House of Commons is in recess. The president also missed out on that honor during his first state visit amid opposition from then-Speaker of the House John Bercow.
鈥業t鈥檚 very dreary鈥
Most state visits are staged in London, against the grand backdrop of Buckingham Palace and the broad, flag-lined boulevard known as The Mall. But this one is taking place in the cozier confines of Windsor, a historic town of just over 30,000 people about 25 miles (40 kilometers) west of central London.
That makes it easier to control protests and protect the president at a time of increased international tensions, especially after the of Trump ally Charlie Kirk last week in Utah. Even so, British police have mounted a massive police operation to ensure the president鈥檚 safety.
When Trump was in London on his first state visit in 2019, he was met by thousands of protesters who filled the streets outside the Houses of Parliament as a balloon shaped like a giant, floated overhead.
Robert Lacey, a royal historian and the consultant on the Netflix television series 鈥淭he Crown,鈥 said Windsor is also a more 鈥減hotogenic setting鈥 for a state visit.
鈥淏uckingham Palace has got its balcony, it鈥檚 got its fa莽ade,鈥 he said. But 鈥渋nside it鈥檚 very dreary and it鈥檚 currently being renovated, which is one reason why Mr. Trump will not be staying there. Windsor is a proper castle.鈥
