The UK once again held an extraordinary state ceremony for US President Donald Trump on September 17, 2025. The red carpet was rolled out at Windsor Castle, complete with a horse-drawn carriage procession, a military band ceremony, and a joint air show featuring US and British fighter jets. King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Princess Catherine were also present to welcome Trump and his family. That evening, a white-tie dinner was held as the highlight of the event, emphasizing the symbolic closeness between these two long-time allies.
This visit was also laden with diplomatic significance. Trump was scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers to discuss trade issues, including metal tariff agreements, technological cooperation, and civil nuclear energy. For the UK, this momentum is expected to strengthen post-Brexit trade agreements.
Political Controversy and the Shadow of Jeffrey Epstein
Despite the pomp and circumstance, Trump’s visit took place amid a complex political climate. In the UK, Starmer had just fired ambassador Peter Mandelson due to his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Meanwhile, Trump himself still faces public allegations regarding his relationship with Epstein, even though he calls them “hoaxes.” This factor made the state visit fraught with moral and political dilemmas.
Wave of Protests and Public Resistance
While the British government tried to present an image of respect, the public responded with the opposite. An Ipsos poll showed that 61% of British citizens disliked Trump. Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of London, carrying banners with slogans such as “Stop Trump” and “Dump Trump.” The activist group Led By Donkeys even projected images of Trump and Epstein onto the walls of Windsor Castle, although four people were arrested for this action.
Sharp criticism also came from London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who accused Trump of being a figure who “fans the flames of divisive right-wing politics.” This view illustrates the gap between formal official diplomacy and public opinion that is resistant to Trump.
The Intersection of Diplomacy and Policy Differences
In addition to trade issues, discussions between Trump and Starmer are expected to touch on foreign affairs. The UK plans to officially recognize Palestine at the UN General Assembly, a move strongly opposed by Washington. On the other hand, Trump has yet to show a firm commitment to Ukraine, even though Starmer is trying to maintain US support for Kyiv.
This contradiction shows that behind the grand procession, transatlantic relations remain marked by strategic differences. Meanwhile, British media outlets such as Channel 4 aired the documentary Trump v The Truth, exposing more than 100 false statements made by Trump since taking office, adding to public criticism of his presence.
Trump’s second state visit to the UK revealed the “two faces” of international diplomacy. On the one hand, the British government displayed royal pomp to strengthen bilateral relations. On the other hand, civil society showed strong resistance to Trump through mass protests and open criticism. This reality underscores the US-UK relationship, where strategic partnership remains important, but public legitimacy cannot be ignored.
Author : Nazwa
Image Source : cnn.com
Reference :
Business Times. “Thousands Protest in London over Trump UK Visit.” The Business Times, September 18, 2025. https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/thousands-protest-london-over-trump-uk-visit.
Elgot, Jessica, and Matthew Weaver. “Labour Says Trump Does Not Deserve Such Special Honours.” the Guardian. The Guardian, June 4, 2019. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/04/trump-visit-mass-protests-to-be-held-in-london-as-baby-blimp-returns.
Nicholls, Catherine. “Protests, Projections and Programs: How Britons Are Showing Their Displeasure at Trump’s Visit.” CNN, September 17, 2025. https://edition.cnn.com/2025/09/17/uk/trump-uk-state-visit-protests-intl.
