Prince William and Kate Middleton played a significant role in welcoming President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to Windsor as their state visit began on Wednesday.
The Prince and Princess of Wales greeted the Trumps at the Walled Garden on the Windsor estate, after President Trump’s Marine One helicopter touched down just after midday.
Prince William is required to meet visiting heads of state before they are officially introduced to King Charles and William, who last met with President Trump in December at the UK ambassador’s residence in Paris, offered a warm welcome.
The Princess of Wales, in a burgundy dress by Emilia Wickstead and hat by Jane Taylor, also looked delighted to meet Melania, with whom she will spend time with during the visit.
William and Kate walked with the Trumps through Home Park to Victoria House, where they met with King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Buckingham Palace confirmed Queen Camilla’s attendance on Wednesday morning, after she was forced to pull out of the Duchess of Kent’s funeral on Tuesday due to acute sinusitis. Queen Camilla looked well in a sapphire blue dress and matching coat by one of her favorite designers, Fiona Clare, which she complemented with a hat by Philip Treacy.
While the Trumps have received a carriage procession, they did not travel through Windsor town, where anti-Trump protests are taking place. During the ride through the Windsor estate to Windsor Castle, King Charles and President Trump could be seen chatting.
As revealed by Vanity Fair, King Charles is planning to discuss some key issues with President Trump, including energy and the environment.
There will be no public-facing engagements for President Trump during this visit, and he has not been invited to address the Houses of Parliament.
Meanwhile, with the terror threat in Britain reportedly on high alert during Trump’s visit, security has been increased with snipers on rooftops around the Windsor estate. Increased numbers of plain-clothed security officers were also positioned within the crowds.
Palace aides have rolled out the red carpet for the visit and are staging the largest military ceremonial welcome for a state visit to the UK. The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment are providing the Sovereign’s Escort for the procession while the route in Windsor is lined with members of the Armed Forces, three bands from the Royal Marines, the Army and the RAF.
President Trump will inspect the Guard of Honour as he did during his first state visit when he accidentally walked in front of the late Queen.
The Trumps will then retire to Windsor Castle for lunch before visiting St George’s Chapel ahead of Wednesday’s state banquet at Windsor Castle.
More Great Stories From Vanity Fair
-
Dakota and Elle Fanning, Together at Last
-
Charlie Kirk, Redeemed by the Media
-
Remembering Robert Redford
-
See All the Looks From the 2025 Emmys Red Carpet
-
The Best-Dressed Stars at the Emmys 2025
-
All the Winners From the Emmys 2025
-
Decoding the Messages of Charlie Kirk’s Alleged Killer
-
Jessica Buttafuoco and the Price of Infamy
-
Exclusive: Emma Heming Willis and Bruce Willis at Home
-
From the Archive: In Colbert We Trust
The post Why Prince William and Kate Middleton Were the First to Greet President Trump and Melania During Their State Visit appeared first on Vanity Fair.
