On 3rd June 2019, Donald Trump, President of the United States of America, made an official visit to the United Kingdom. President Trump was accompanied by his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, their 3 adult children, and son-in-law.
Once the couple arrived in the UK, they made their way to Buckingham Palace, where they arrived by helicopter (Marine One), around midday. There they were officially welcomed by Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, before meeting the Queen on West Terrace. A guard of honour was formed by Nijmegen Company, Grenadier Guards, as the US National Anthem played by the regiment’s band. The President inspected the guard of honour, accompanied by the Prince of Wales. There were gun salutes in Green Park by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery (41 guns) and at the Tower of London by The Honourable Artillery Company (62 guns) to mark the President’s arrival.
After a private lunch, the Queen, President and First Lady, and other members of the royal family inspected a selection of items curated by the Royal Collection Trust. These items celebrated the enduring relationship between the US and the UK. This is a traditional part of any state visit paid to the UK by another country. The Royal Collection curates items that have been gifts between the two countries in the past, or that come from the visiting country, or depict something of the relationship between the two nations. This gives something for the Queen and her guests to talk about, and I think it does an excellent job of showing the visiting nation the value that the UK places on the relationship between the two countries, and the visiting country’s heritage and culture. It highlights the longevity of the relationship and ties between the two nations. It also emphasises, in my opinion, the value the UK places on art, culture, and history, and highlights this well. It showcases the depth of the Royal Collection, in that such specific pieces can be found and displayed. This is no mean feat, and the time and energy that goes into curating the pieces shows the visiting nation how important their visit is to the UK.
Items from the Royal Collection included in the display were photographs and a telegraph from King George VI and Queen Elizabeth’s 3 day visit to the US in 1939, hosted by President Roosevelt in Washington and New York. The display also looked at the relationship between the American Dwight D. Eisenhower, Winston Churchill, and King George VI in the Second World War, in the days leading up to and following the D-Day landings, the anniversary of which President Trump and the Queen commemorated later on in the visit. In a nod to the President’s Scottish heritage, he was also shown a bolt of harris tweed. The President received gifts of a first edition of Sir Winston Churchill's book, ‘The Second World War,’ from 1959, with gilt decorations and hand-sewn bindings in the colours of the US flag. He was also given a three-piece Duofold pen set decorated with an EIIR emblem, in a design made exclusively for the monarch. A specially commissioned silver box with a handcrafted enamel lid, decorated in royal blue with roses, thistles and shamrocks to represent the ceiling of Buckingham Palace's music room, was gifted to the First Lady.
After viewing the display, President and Mrs Trump travelled to Westminster Abbey, to follow the tradition for visiting heads of state to lay a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior. This is grave contains an unidentified soldier from the First World War, and it is another tradition for royal bride’s bouquets to be laid on the grave following their wedding. This is the only grave in Westminster Abbey over which it is not permitted to walk. The tomb represents all servicemen and women who have died but have no known grave. The President and First Lady signed the visitor’s book at the Abbey, saying, “Thank you so much. This has been a great honour. Special place,” followed by their signatures. The Duke of York accompanied the President and First Lady for this occasion. I think it is great that the whole royal family works together and plays a role in hosting the visiting head of state. Some argue that we need to slim down the working and active members of the royal family, but indeed I think that they all have a part to play, some of them working quietly behind the scenes to encourage and support charities, organisations and people who contribute greatly to society.
Later, the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall hosted President and Mrs Trump for Afternoon Tea at their official London residence, Clarence House. Afternoon Tea is another British tradition and part of British culture, that the UK could showcase to President and Mrs Trump. No doubt this was an interesting time, as the Prince and President are known to have differing views on subjects such as the environment! Prince Charles is known to speak his mind, although once he is King he will have less opportunity to speak out politically. The 2 couples entered the room where the waiting press took a photo of them together in front of the mantlepiece. At one point, the President appeared to indicate to Charles where he should stand, which no doubt Charles did not appreciate, causing his wife to wink at the press! I think this shows that the royals have a great sense of humour, and that Charles and Camilla get on well, able to take the mickey out of each other! The President and Mrs Trump shook hands with officials, such as the Queen’s equerry and Michael Vernon, controller at the Lord Chamberlain’s office. The 2 couples then went into a private room for tea.
That evening a state banquet was held by the Queen at Buckingham Palace. The banquet was held in the ballroom, and guests were made up of the Trump family, the royal family, politicians, and prominent Americans living in Britain. One prominent American living in Britain who was not present was the Duchess of Sussex, as she is on maternity leave following the birth of baby Archie. Perhaps that is just as well, since it emerged in the media that Trump called the Duchess, “nasty.” It should be noted that this was before she was a member of the royal family, and maybe he wouldn’t have said that now she is a duchess.
The Queen was joined at the banquet by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Duke of York, Earl and Countess of Wessex, and Princess Royal. They were sat amongst the guests, including Trump’s 4 children and son-in-law. The Queen sat next to President Trump, and both of them gave speeches. The menu is written in french for state banquets, and is personally approved by the Queen. It is made up of four courses; fish, meat, pudding and dessert (dessert is different from pudding in that it is usually fruit). For this state banquet, the menu was:
A tranche of steamed fillet of halibut with watercress mousse, asparagus spears, and chervil sauce
Saddle of new season Windsor lamb with herb stuffing, spring vegetable, port sauce
Strawberry Sable with lemon verbena cream
Selection of assorted fresh fruits
Coffee and petit fours
A selection of wines accompanied the meal.
It is royal protocol that once the Queen stops eating, everyone stops, and that course is finished. The banquet was served to 170 people, and was a highly formal white tie affair (more formal than black tie). It takes six months to prepare a state banquet; 3 officials spend 8 weeks unpacking George IV’s grand service (the plates and 2000 pieces of cutlery). Each place sitting is exactly 45 cm from the next and each chair is positioned the same distance from the table, measured using a special stick. The table takes 4-5 days to set, and is a big horse shoe shaped table. 19 serving stations around the room are each occupied by a page, footman, under butler, and wine butler. The napkins are embroidered with the Queen’s monogram and, to avoid the finished result differing, the same person folds them into a Dutch bonnet.
The Queen’s speech was as follows:
Mr President,
I am delighted to welcome you and Mrs Trump to Buckingham Palace this evening, just twelve months after our first meeting at Windsor Castle. Visits by American Presidents always remind us of the close and longstanding friendship between the United Kingdom and the United States, and I am so glad that we have another opportunity to demonstrate the immense importance that both our countries attach to our relationship.
In the coming days, you will see some of our most treasured historical buildings, speak to the business leaders whose expertise and innovation drive our economies, and meet members of our Armed Services, past and present. You will also travel to Portsmouth and Normandy to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of D-Day.
On that day – and on many occasions since – the Armed Forces of both our countries fought side-by-side to defend our cherished values of liberty and democracy. Mr President, in your State of the Union Address this year, you paid tribute to some of the American heroes who risked their lives, and we owe an immeasurable debt to the British, American and Allied soldiers who began the liberation of Europe on 6th June 1944.
I paid my first State Visit to your country at the invitation of President Eisenhower. As Supreme Allied Commander, he had ultimate responsibility for the execution of the Normandy landings. In his headquarters in St James’s Square – not far from Buckingham Palace – British and American officers worked closely together to plan the freedom of a continent, and it would be no exaggeration to say that millions of lives depended on their common endeavour.
As we face the new challenges of the Twenty First Century, the anniversary of D-Day reminds us of all that our countries have achieved together. After the shared sacrifices of the Second World War, Britain and the United States worked with other allies to build an assembly of international institutions, to ensure that the horrors of conflict would never be repeated. While the world has changed, we are forever mindful of the original purpose of these structures: nations working together to safeguard a hard won peace.
Of course, it is not only our security which unites us; but our strong cultural links and shared heritage. Every year, there are almost four million visits by Americans to the United Kingdom, with a great number claiming British descent. And with your own Scottish ancestry, Mr President, you too have a particular connection to this country.
We are also bound by the strength and breadth of our economic ties, as the largest investors in each other’s economies. British companies in the United States employ over one million Americans, and the same is true vice versa.
Mr President, as we look to the future, I am confident that our common values and shared interests will continue to unite us. Tonight we celebrate an alliance that has helped to ensure the safety and prosperity of both our peoples for decades, and which I believe will endure for many years to come.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I invite you all to rise and drink a toast to President and Mrs Trump, to the continued friendship between our two nations, and to the health, prosperity and happiness of the people of the United States.
I think her speech was very good at highlighting both the historic and the present ties between the two nations, celebrating the way each country helps the other.
President Trump gave a speech saying:
Your Majesty, Melania and I are profoundly honoured to be your guests for this historic state visit.
Thank you for your warm welcome, for this beautiful weather, your gracious hospitality, and Your Majesty's nearly seven decades of treasured friendship with the United States of America.
This week, we commemorate a mighty endeavour of righteous nations and one of the greatest undertakings in all of history.
Seventy-five years ago, more than 150,000 allied troops were preparing on this island to parachute into France, storm the beaches of Normandy, and win back our civilisation.
As Her Majesty remembers, the British people had hoped and prayed and fought for this day for nearly five years.
When Britain stood alone during the blitz of 1940 and 1941, the Nazi war machine dropped thousands of bombs on this country, and right on this magnificent city.
Buckingham Palace alone was bombed on 16 separate occasions. In that dark hour, the people of this nation showed the world what it means to be British.
They cleared wreckage from the streets, displayed the Union Jack from their shattered homes and kept fighting on to victory. They only wanted victory.
The courage of the United Kingdom's sons and daughters ensured that your destiny would always remain in your own hands.
Through it all, the royal family was the resolute face of the commonwealth's unwavering solidarity.
In April 1945, newspapers featured a picture of the Queen Mother visiting the woman's branch of the Army, watching a young woman repair a military truck engine.
That young mechanic was the future Queen, a great, great woman.
Her Majesty inspired her compatriots in that fight to support the troops, defend her homeland, and defeat the enemy at all cost.
We also pay tribute to Prince Philip's distinguished and valiant service in the Royal Navy during the Second World War.
On D-day, the Queen's beloved father, King George VI delivered a stirring national address.
That day he said, after nearly five years of toil and suffering, we must renew that crusading impulse on which we entered the war and met its darkest hour. Our fight is against evil and for a world in which goodness and honour may be the foundation of the life of men in every land.
This evening, we thank God for the brave sons of the United Kingdom and the United States who defeated the Nazis and the Nazi regime and liberated millions from tyranny.
The bond between our nations was forever sealed in that great crusade.
As we honour our shared victory and heritage, we affirm the common values that will unite us long into future - freedom, sovereignty, self-determination, the rule of law and reverence for the rights given to us by Almighty God.
From the Second World War to today, Her Majesty has stood as a constant symbol of these priceless traditions.
She has embodied the spirit of dignity, duty, and patriotism that beats proudly in every British heart.
On behalf of all Americans, I offer a toast to the eternal friendship of our people, the vitality of our nations and to the long-cherished and truly remarkable reign of Her Majesty, the Queen.
Thank you.
I think President Trump’s speech was very personal to the Queen, and also looked at the importance of the D-Day commemorations that were due to take place in two days time, and indeed were no doubt the reason for the timing of the President’s visit, so he could be present at the anniversary.
On the second day of his visit, the President was hosted by the Duke of York at a UK/US Senior Business Leaders Group Breakfast Meeting, also attended by the UK Prime Minister Theresa May. This took place at St James’ Palace. President Trump then had meetings with UK Prime Minister Theresa May at 10 Downing Street, and the two of them held a joint press conference. Meanwhile the Churchill War Rooms were visited by Mrs Trump with the Prime Minister's husband Mr. Philip May. The President then hosted a return dinner at Winfield House, which Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall attended on behalf of the Queen. The menu was European, served with American wine. Theresa May and her husband attended, alongside Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Cabinet Secretary Mark Sedwill, amongst others.
On the third and final day of the state visit, the Queen and Prince Charles attended the 75th anniversary of D-Day commemorations, alongside President and Mrs Trump. Other heads of state joined them, including the President of France Emmanuel Macron, and the Prime Ministers of Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Poland and Slovakia. Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, also attended. An earlier commemoration had taken place on the beaches of Normandy itself, led by President Macron, and attended by many heads of state including Theresa May.
It marked 75 years since troops left Portsmouth for the beaches of Normandy, France. D-Day marked the beginning of the end of the Second World War. It is thought this is the last time D-Day will be commemorated like this.
Many lost their lives, but the veterans who have survived to this day were present to mark the occasion and be thanked for their service. The event included speeches from Heads of State whose countries were involved in the campaign, including President Trump, as well as stories from veterans and musical performances.
The Queen also gave a speech saying:
Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
When I attended the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the D-Day Landings, some thought it might be the last such event. But the wartime generation - my generation - is resilient, and I am delighted to be with you in Portsmouth today.
75 years ago, hundreds of thousands of young soldiers, sailors and airmen left these shores in the cause of freedom. In a broadcast to the nation at that time, my Father, King George VI, said: “…what is demanded from us all is something more than courage and endurance; we need a revival of spirit, a new unconquerable resolve...” That is exactly what those brave men brought to the battle, as the fate of the world depended on their success.
Many of them would never return, and the heroism, courage and sacrifice of those who lost their lives will never be forgotten. It is with humility and pleasure, on behalf of the entire country – indeed the whole free world – that I say to you all, thank you.
After the service, the Queen bid farewell to President and First Lady Trump. I think that this state visit was a success, in that it showed the relationship between two countries with a close-knit past, and has ensured this relationship will continue into the future. Once again, the advantage of our constitutional monarchy was made clear; politicians come and go, but the Queen and other members of the royal family remain, and therefore can draw upon experience, personal memories, and impartiality to solidify these relationships. Great Britain can put on it’s best to make it’s guests feel welcome and valued, and show the best of British culture, drawing on the past, but also looking to the future.