London
CNN
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US President Donald Trump and Mrs. Melania Trump will travel to the UK in September to make a “unprecedented” second state visit at the invitation of King Charles.
The visit is scheduled for September 17-19, with the palace announced on Sunday, coinciding with a break in the House. It eliminates the possibility that Trump will deal with a joint session in Congress. This is the outlook that some lawmakers have urged the House Speaker to refuse.
King Charles will hold a Trump event at Windsor Castle, about an hour from central London, the palace said in a statement. Buckingham Palace, the usual venue for state visits, has undergone major renovations this year.
Windsor was also the site of French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit last week, where Macron traveled to London to attend a Downing Street summit and gave a speech to Parliament.
Typically, the second term of the US president is not invited for his second state visit. In line with tradition, former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush were served lunch or tea with the monarch in the second administration.
However, the “unprecedented” offer was extended on behalf of the King when Prime Minister Kiel traveled to the White House earlier this year. A formal invitation was then sent in June, but the two leaders were unable to meet for the summer due to schedule conflicts.
CNN reached out to the White House for comment.
“His has known President Trump for many years and looks forward to hosting him and First Lady later this year,” a palace aide told CNN in June.
Details regarding the state’s visit will be made in the future, according to a statement from the palace. Like all state visits, it includes a complete ceremonial welcome and a state banquet. All senior members of the royal family are expected to participate.
During his first formal state visit in 2019, Trump was hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth of Buckingham Palace. However, due to security concerns, there was no public procession along the London mall, and the president arrived by helicopter.
CNN’s Mitchell McCluskey contributed to this report.
