Queen Camilla made her return to royal duties on September 17, 2025, after being absent from the Duchess of Kent’s funeral due to illness. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson confirmed that the Queen had been suffering from acute sinusitis, an infection that causes inflammation and swelling of the sinuses. However, she is expected to attend all engagements during the upcoming state visit of President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.
The royal welcome for the Trumps at Windsor Castle was marked by grandeur as they were escorted by the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment. Military bands from the Royal Marines, the Army, and the Royal Air Force played both the U.S. and British national anthems, setting the tone for the formal occasion.
Later in the day, President Trump and King Charles were scheduled to inspect the Guard of Honour, after which the royals and the Trumps would enjoy a lunch at the castle. The afternoon included a special viewing of items from the Royal Collection, specifically related to the United States, in the Green Drawing Room. President Trump would then privately lay a wreath at St. George’s Chapel on the tomb of the late Queen Elizabeth.
This marked Trump’s second official state visit to the U.K., an unprecedented event for a U.S. president. His first visit occurred in 2019 during his first term. This second visit was preceded by a formal invitation, hand-delivered to the White House by British officials in June. A palace aide remarked that King Charles has known President Trump for many years and was looking forward to hosting him and the First Lady.
The visit also included a state banquet on Wednesday night, and on Thursday, President Trump was set to meet U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer at his country residence, Chequers. Meanwhile, Melania Trump would join Princess Kate for their first joint engagement on Thursday at Frogmore Gardens in Windsor. They would visit with the U.K.’s Chief Scout, Dwayne Fields, and members of the Scouts’ Squirrels program, as the children earned their “Go Wild” badge. Princess Kate, a former Brownie, has been Joint President of the Scout Association since 2020, making this engagement particularly meaningful.
As the Trumps continued their royal visit, the formalities highlighted the strong relationship between the U.K. and the U.S., with an air of respect and ceremonial tradition underscoring the significance of the state visit.
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