Details unveiled for Trump's unprecedented second state visit with King
The decision to proceed directly with a "bells and whistles" state visit, as reported by The Times, comes amid suggestions that the King and the US president's demanding schedules precluded an initial informal gathering over the summer.
However, the Palace had reportedly hoped for a more gradual approach, building towards the grander event.
Concerns within the Palace are said to include Mr Trump's previous threat to designate Canada as the 51st US state – a matter of particular relevance given King Charles's role as the monarch of Canada.
In an attempt to facilitate a less formal introduction, King Charles personally suggested a meeting at Balmoral or Dumfries House in Scotland.
This invitation was conveyed in a letter delivered to Mr Trump by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during a visit to the Oval Office in February.
But it is understood that, although all options were explored, there were logistical challenges surrounding an informal visit, with complexities in both the King and Mr Trump's diaries meaning a private meeting was not possible over the course of the summer months.
The diary issues come despite the King heading to Scotland for his summer break each year, and Mr Trump being expected to visit his new, second golf course in Aberdeenshire when it opens this summer.
It is said that the logistical reasons why the private meeting cannot precede the state visit are understood and appreciated by all parties.
Formal planning for the official state visit has now begun.
The Manu Regia, the hand-signed formal invitation from the monarch to Mr Trump for a second state visit, was hand-delivered last week by British representatives from the Washington embassy to the White House.
A Palace aide said: 'His Majesty has known President Trump for many years and looks forward to hosting him and the First Lady later this year.'
The exact dates of Mr Trump's stay will be announced in due course, but September is said to be the most likely.
The politician was already feted with a grand state visit to the UK, hosted by the late Queen at Buckingham Palace in 2019.
Precedent for second-term US presidents who have already made a state visit is usually tea or lunch with the monarch at Windsor Castle, as was the case for George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
But Mr Trump is being treated with an unprecedented second state visit for a US president, this time at Windsor.
The Times suggested Sir Keir was hoping to prioritise his attempt to curry favour with Mr Trump and capitalise on the president's fascination with the royal family.
A Number 10 spokesman said: 'It's a matter for the Palace.'
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The Independent
15 minutes ago
- The Independent
Rough deal: Social media roasts Trump's golf game after clip appears to show alleged cheating in Scotland
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Daily Mirror
16 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
MIKEY SMITH: 7 unhinged Donald Trump Scotland moments as he moans nobody thanked him for Gaza aid
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Thank you for your attention to this matter." Nobody did any of this. It was made up. 5. He moaned that he didn't get enough thanks for sending food to Gaza Speaking ahead of his negotiations with Ursula Von der Leyen, Trump admitted he was "not in a good mood." He fumed about America not getting more credit for sending humanitarian aid to Gaza. "We gave $60 million two weeks ago and nobody even acknowledged it, for food," he said. "And it's terrible. You know, you really at least want to have somebody say thankyou. No other country gave anything. We gave $60 million two weeks ago for food for Gaza and nobody acknowledged it." He went on: "And nobody said 'Gee, thankyou very much'. And that would be nice, to have at least a thankyou." Get Donald Trump updates straight to your WhatsApp! As the world attempts to keep up with Trump's antics, the Mirror has launched its very own US Politics WhatsApp community where you'll get all the latest news from across the pond. We'll send you the latest breaking updates and exclusives all directly to your phone. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in. All you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group. We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 6. In case anyone didn't know already, he explicitly gave away why he hates wind turbines so much In his extended disco remix rant ahead of a relatively brief negotiation with Von der Leyon, Trump somehow managed to weave onto talking about wind farms. At length. Again. But in case you were wondering why the subject was on his mind, he gave the game away: "Today, I'm playing the best course I think in the world. Turnberry. "Even though I own it, it's probably the best course in the world. "And I look over the horizon and I see 9 windmills at the end of the 18th. I say, isn't that a shame?" 7. He insists he didn't rush through the EU trade deal to distract from the Epstein scandal We actually kind of believe him on this one. This seems to be a fairly natural reaction.
Daily Mail
16 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Footage of Donald Trump 'cheating' on the golf course goes viral
With President Donald Trump over in Europe, the real-estate magnate decided to visit some of his golf courses and play a few rounds of the sport he loves the most. But a camera captured a moment where one of the caddies in Trump's party decided to help him out more than what is allowed. Video taken from inside a building showed the moment the US president rolled up in a golf cart left of the fairway at Turnberry - with a bunker in front of him and some light fescue to his left. As two caddies walked by, the camera captured one of them stopping, bending down slightly, and dropping a ball in front of the president. Trump got out of his golf cart with a club and approached the dropped ball in what appeared to be an attempt to hit it. The video stops before he takes a swing. The clip went viral on social media, with multiple commenters calling out the 79-year-old for 'cheating'. Trump then got out of his golf cart and approached the ball with club in hand 'Who needs a foot wedge when you have a personal ball dropper???' wrote one commenter on X, formerly Twitter. Another account posted, 'Him and Kim Jong Un would be INSANE scramble partners'. One account which appears to belong to a PGA professional commented, 'Such a perfect metaphor for our Commander-in-Cheat.' ' like I need these fellas as Caddies with the way I hit it anymore,' another post joked. If Trump did indeed hit that ball, it's not the first time that he's been accused of 'cheating' in the past. Earlier this year, film star Samuel L. Jackson accused him of cheating when the pair played a round together. Asked who the better golfer was, the Pulp Fiction actor said: 'Oh, I am, for sure. I don't cheat.' Taking to social media to reply to Jackson, Trump responded by saying he had never played with him on a course. Jackson's opinion is one echoed by fellow actor Anthony Anderson, as he accused Trump of cheating back in 2016. During an appearance on the Late Night With Seth Meyers that year, Anderson said: 'Trump is a great golfer. I'm not going to say Trump cheats. His caddy cheats for him.' Asked on whether he saw Trump cheat with his own eyes, Anderson replied: 'Oh yes, several times. Several times'. He added: 'I mis-hit a ball - it hooked a little left about 20 yards. Trump hit the exact same shot but went 20 yards further left than mine. 'I could not find my ball in this trash. Trump's ball had the fluffiest lie in the middle of the fairway. 'Like I say, I didn't see Trump cheat because he was on the tee-box with me, but his ball was right there in the middle of the fairway.' They follow claims made by sports journalist Rick Reilly, who claimed in 2019 that Trump made second attempts at a shot for no good reason and took credit for other players' shots. Writing for the Sunday Times, he said caddies had given Trump the nickname 'Pele' because he would kick the ball so often to move it to a better position. Describing his opponent's style of play, he said: 'To say Donald Trump cheats is like saying Michael Phelps swims. 'Trump doesn't just cheat at golf. He cheats like a three-card monte dealer. He throws it, boots it and moves it.
