US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have departed the UK following a high-profile two-day state visit marked by a mix of pageantry and politics. The visit included a carriage procession, a Red Arrows flypast and a glittering banquet at Windsor Castle, where both Trump and King Charles III praised the enduring “special relationship” between the two nations.
The following day’s programme turned to diplomacy, with talks at Chequers between Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer focusing on trade, defence, and global conflicts. A new “technology prosperity deal” was signed, with major US firms pledging billions of pounds of investment in the UK. However, points of contention also emerged, with Trump admitting “disagreement” over Starmer’s plans to recognise a Palestinian state and expressing disappointment in Vladimir Putin while urging tougher action on small boat crossings.
Some of the more contentious issues, including free speech controversies and the Jeffrey Epstein affair, were largely sidestepped. Analysts noted that the joint press conference was cordial, with disagreements handled carefully. For Starmer, the highlight was securing investment promises, while for Trump the royal treatment appeared to be the standout moment.
Away from the formalities, protests took place in central London and Windsor, reflecting the divisive nature of Trump’s visit. Yet for Downing Street, the trip was widely viewed as a diplomatic success, cementing a working relationship with the White House while keeping disputes from overshadowing the occasion.
