U.S. President Donald Trump boarded Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews on Tuesday, September 16, enroute to The United Kingdom (UK) for an unprecedented and historic second state visit by a U.S President.
Accompanied by the First Lady, Melania Trump, they arrived at Stansted Airport in Essex later that evening for a 2-day state visit. This was a rare privilege at the invitation of the British monarch, King Charles III.
The visit which was dubbed as both “unprecedented” and “historic” in nature for both countries, is a marvel that has dominated discussions within the diplomatic and political world on both sides of the Atlantic.
The fact that President Trump is THE first U.S. President ever, to be invited for a state visit to the UK TWICE and by a monarch, it is itself historic and unprecedented in the history of both countries.
The first invitation to then President Trump was by the late Monarch, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II in 2019 during Trump’s first term in The White House.
The second and recent invitation is by her successor and son, HRH King Charles III, during Trump’s non-consecutive, second term in The White House.
However, while the British monarch can invite foreign leaders for official state visits to the country, it is equally important to note that it does not do so independently or act outside the confines of the government in power. Rather, it normally acts on advice of the incumbent government.
While President Trump is the third U.S. President to make a state visit to the UK, he is still the first and only one in history to be invited TWICE.
That is why this second visit is more than just another mere “formal trip” by a head of state. Rather, it both symbolic and very significant and is one for the history books, just like the man himself.
Upon arrival at Stanstead Airport aboard Air Force One, President Trump and First Lady Melania were met and received on behalf of the King by the Royal Protocol Officer, Henry Hood, lord-in-waiting and by the U.S. Ambassador to the UK, Warren Stephens.
After boarding the presidential helicopter, Marine One, Ambassador Stephens took the First Couple to Winfield House, his home, in London where they spent the night.
Winfield House has been the official residence of the U.S. Ambassador to Britain for the past 70 years, that is, since 1955.
President Trump and the First Lady were in UK from September 16 until September 18, the conclusion of the state visit.
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