President Donald Trump and President Charles III were King Charles III during a state banquet at Windsor Castle for a state visit by the President of the United States, held in Windsor, England, on September 17, 2025.
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On Thursday, US President Donald Trump left Windsor Castle (he and his wife Melania received royal treatment) and headed to Checker, Prime Minister Kiel Starmer’s official country residence.
The two leaders are engaged in trade and geopolitical consultations and are taking part in meetings with delegations from the UK and the US.
Trump was greeted by Priority and his wife Victoria, along with the ritual guardian of the star and bagpiper, when he arrived at the Checker. The house of a 16th century mansion near London is used by the Minister as a country retreat and informal venue for international diplomacy.
The finalization of the commitments laid out in the “Contract of Economic Prosperity” or the US-UK trade agreement in May is expected to take the central stage, as well as the more troubling issues with the UK’s 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum that the UK wants to reduce to zero. Ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East could also be featured on the agenda.
Speaking to reporters when he boarded Air Force 1 to travel to the UK on Tuesday, he said he would “support” the UK trade agreement.
On Wednesday, September 17th, 2025, President Donald Trump and British King Charles III will review the Guards of Honor after arriving at Windsor Castle, England.
Kirsty Wigglesworth | Via Reuters
“They want to see if they can refine their trade deals a little,” he said. “They want to see if they can get a little better deal, so we’ll talk to them.”
On Thursday, the US President and the UK Prime Minister will join UK Finance Minister Rachel Reeves to hold a joint press conference later that day.
The state visit has already paid off in the UK, with introverted investments worth £150 billion ($20.4 billion) being announced while traveling and during travel. The UK government welcomed investment on Wednesday, saying the deals “will boost employment, promote growth and provide opportunities for workers to come and go around the country.”
The key to the third day of the state’s visit is the order of priorities and the appearance of Trump really on the ride. Why is this so – when two men have such different political backgrounds and perspectives, they continue to go against logic.
“The friendship of Donald Trump Kier’s ancestors is an unlikely pair. The ancestors are Donald Trump, the left-hand human rights lawyer who defines how we know and that their relationship is a bit mystical.
“I’m going to put it in terms of ‘soft power’ and Trump’s positive associations all (with the UK). Trump doesn’t have many friends on the global stage from the left.
It is unclear how Thursday’s talk will unfold, but there is no doubt that the UK pulled out a stop to impress its transatlantic allies.
Crowds, safety, protests
The US President’s visit fascinated the country on Wednesday with British and American flags lined up on Windsor’s packed streets.
As early as Thursday, at 5:30am, tents lined up the streets, housed many journalists and television cameras.
Among onlookers, CNBC crews found several “make Britain great again” hats wearing blue.
Many locals commented on the high level of security carried out on the ground for the president’s visit. Certainly, the visit of the US President was not fully accepted, and protests against it were taking place across the UK.
One American citizen who said she didn’t support Trump nevertheless told CNBC’s Ritika Gupta that the earthly atmosphere was “great.”
The US President is pleased with the crowd and so far shows that he is enjoying his second state visit to the UK
At a glittering state banquet held at Windsor Castle on Wednesday night, Trump told a swarm of guests, including senior royals, US and British officials and business leaders.
He then gave a few laughs when he joked that he wanted to become the only president who received two state visits.
King Charles gives a speech as President of the United States President Donald Trump, Catherine, and listens during a state banquet for the President of the United States and First Lady Melania Trump at Windsor Castle, Berkshire, on the first day of his second state visit to the UK on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.
Aaron Chaun | Via Reuters
In his own speech, King Charles praised the US president for “a personal commitment to finding solutions to some of the world’s most difficult conflicts.”
Otherwise, Trump will be in the royal spotlight on Wednesday, visibly enjoying the glamour and ceremony, including royal salutes, a transport procession through Windsor and a security guard of honor. Duncan Edwards, CEO of Britishamerican Business, a massive business networking group, told CNBC on Thursday.
“From the UK government’s perspective, they have not been able to seek better announcements in the announcements of private nuclear, financial services and all AI over the past three days,” he told CNBC’s Squawk Box Europe.
Edwards warned that “promised dollars” are not the same as “real dollars” and that we will not see whether the promised investments in the past few days will actually come true.
“You just need to see what is actually committed over the next few months and years,” he said.
– CNBC’s Ruxandra Iordache contributed to this report.
