Donald Trump State visit 16-18 September 2025

The State Banquet:

Tablecloths and napkins - folded in the shape of a Dutch bonnet - cruet sets, elaborate floral decorations, priceless plates, candelabra and six glasses - for water, a champagne toast, red and white wines, a dessert wine and port - will all have carefully been put in order.

Every place setting must be precisely 18 inches apart - with measuring sticks used to ensure absolute precision.

Only three courses for a State Banquet - looks a bit like a ZaZa 3 course option…..probably all on diets?

FriedGreenTomatoes2

I've never seen Melania look anything other than impeccable. She also has beautiful posture.

She does. Kate also looked perfect today. Two very glamorous ladies who represent their positions and countries admirably.

I've never seen Melania look anything other than impeccable. She also has beautiful posture.

And yet, when people raise flags on lamp posts as their way of making their feelings known they are castigated. It’s their way of protesting without violence as a lack of power, as you claim.

I’m all for democratic rights if it’s for all of the population and not just some.

woodenspoon

madeleine45

If there had been a journey driving through the population, rather than him having to be only kept away from everyone, I wanted people to line up and as he came near turn their backs on the cavalcade to show in a dignified but safe way, that he was neither welcome or wanted. If all the way along the journey the same silent behaviour would have clearly shown the feelings of many people, but in a safe, decent way, that while we may not be able to declare our feelings directly to him, that we would not allow him to ignore our feelings.

But not everyone agrees with you. Yes there are those that do but, equally, others are glad he is here. If you watch the news they focus on the protestors, who are not at work, funny that. But in Windsor itself there are many Trump supporters lining the roads.

Let’s not forget, many don’t care one way or the other and many go to work, pay their taxes, so others can line the streets with their silly placards, protesting.

woodenspoon

But not everyone agrees with you. Yes there are those that do but, equally, others are glad he is here. If you watch the news they focus on the protestors, who are not at work, funny that. But in Windsor itself there are many Trump supporters lining the roads.

The many "Trump supporters lining the roads" are, presumably, if they are of working-age, "not at work" either.

Let’s not forget, many don’t care one way or the other and many go to work, pay their taxes, so others can line the streets with their silly placards, protesting.

Silly placards are a legitimate and peaceful, non-violent, way of protesting.
The average citizen, generally, has no other way to make their feelings known to those in authority, they have no other power.
Do you think it's possible that one day there might be some imposition on your way of life that you feel quite strongly about, which would make you appreciate that democratic right?

merlotgran

Jane112

Harry is lucky to be out of it, having to kow tow to a sex abusing,fraudulent,bigoted felon isn't an honour it's an embarrassment and a public humiliation.

On the contrary. It’s an example of how to put one’s personal feelings aside for duty and service.

And if he and the wife HAD been invited do you honestly think they wouldn’t be here? Seriously? It’s the fact that the family can happily manage without him and he isn’t missed at all is why he so vicious, jealous and doing his utmost to creep back in.

Jane112

Harry is lucky to be out of it, having to kow tow to a sex abusing,fraudulent,bigoted felon isn't an honour it's an embarrassment and a public humiliation.

On the contrary. It’s an example of how to put one’s personal feelings aside for duty and service.

The clothes are all part of it though. The pageantry of it all is why people tune in to watch, that and the music and marching bands. Also, it will be beamed around the world and put a lie to stupid Harry’s claim that the UK is a dangerous place. Optics are everything. Many other leaders will want to come here and experience the same.

My heart was in my mouth watching Melania and the Princess walking across the very damp long grass in their very beautiful, but mega high heels. At least Melania was holding Trumps hand...or the other way round.
One day the POW will fall over.
I agree with an earlier post Melania had a touch of the standard lamp about her. I am sure that thought was going through Williams mind as well.
I am looking forward to the dresses tonight. Shallow. moi?

foxie48

I have to agree with you butterandjam, everything Melania wears makes a statement, she's absolutely no push over and I also think she's quietly laughing in Trump's face. The royals are doing a good job (and so they should, they are paid enough!) Wasn't it good that the Red Arrows did their stuff but the US couldn't join them because it was TOO windy! Such a shame!

Wasn't it good that the Red Arrows did their stuff but the US couldn't join them because it was TOO windy! Such a shame!

That's the British Bulldog spirit, foxie48!

We don’t yet know enough about Harry to make that judgment though, do we.

Harry is lucky to be out of it, having to kow tow to a sex abusing,fraudulent,bigoted felon isn't an honour it's an embarrassment and a public humiliation.

Whatever you think of Trump, and I think very little, we have to realise he is very important to this country and it's future and the way to get on his good side appears to be to flatter him in any way possible and that's what the royal family and the govt are doing.

woodenspoon

madeleine45

If there had been a journey driving through the population, rather than him having to be only kept away from everyone, I wanted people to line up and as he came near turn their backs on the cavalcade to show in a dignified but safe way, that he was neither welcome or wanted. If all the way along the journey the same silent behaviour would have clearly shown the feelings of many people, but in a safe, decent way, that while we may not be able to declare our feelings directly to him, that we would not allow him to ignore our feelings.

But not everyone agrees with you. Yes there are those that do but, equally, others are glad he is here. If you watch the news they focus on the protestors, who are not at work, funny that. But in Windsor itself there are many Trump supporters lining the roads.

Let’s not forget, many don’t care one way or the other and many go to work, pay their taxes, so others can line the streets with their silly placards, protesting.

Well said woodenspoon. Not everyone agrees with these protests against Trump’s visit. He is the president of the United States and we should be trying to build bridges with our ally not burn them.

I have to agree with you butterandjam, everything Melania wears makes a statement, she's absolutely no push over and I also think she's quietly laughing in Trump's face. The royals are doing a good job (and so they should, they are paid enough!) Wasn't it good that the Red Arrows did their stuff but the US couldn't join them because it was TOO windy! Such a shame!

butterandjam The First Ladies trench coat on arrival was Burberry, a British brand, a nod to their hosts…

eazybee

I thought Melania looked very elegant

Why do royal ladies always carry handbags?
No need for anything other than a hanky and reading glasses.

The late Queen used her handbags as signage to her aides when conversations needed to be moved on, and also gives the owner something to do with her hands. Why do you think Charles, William and other male Royals fiddle with their cuffs? Because they don’t have a man bag.

Handbags also ‘finish off’ a smart outfit.

Blossom21

So far so good. No high profile drive with carriages and military etc parading along the street of London or Windsor. And he isn’t speaking in Westminster this time. He thrives on publicity and public acknowledgement. And as an aside what on earth was Melania wearing!

Melania's fashion choices hint she's a rebel with a wicked sense of humour. She arrived dressed as Columbo; then dressed as a widow for the Flattering Trumps Ego charade.

It is actually knowing how to behave.

madeleine45

If there had been a journey driving through the population, rather than him having to be only kept away from everyone, I wanted people to line up and as he came near turn their backs on the cavalcade to show in a dignified but safe way, that he was neither welcome or wanted. If all the way along the journey the same silent behaviour would have clearly shown the feelings of many people, but in a safe, decent way, that while we may not be able to declare our feelings directly to him, that we would not allow him to ignore our feelings.

But not everyone agrees with you. Yes there are those that do but, equally, others are glad he is here. If you watch the news they focus on the protestors, who are not at work, funny that. But in Windsor itself there are many Trump supporters lining the roads.

Let’s not forget, many don’t care one way or the other and many go to work, pay their taxes, so others can line the streets with their silly placards, protesting.

Great pomp and circumstance that we do so well here today

Agreed!

If there’s one thing we Brits are good at, it’s the pomp and circumstance.

I’m not a fan of Trump, and I would prefer him not to be visiting my country. However, I totally understand why this visit is happening.

Similarly, I’m not a royalist but ‘hats off’ to the Royals for doing their job for the country with great aplomb.

This is what patriotism looks like!

Nellygran

Keeping the enemies close?

As much as it sticks in the craw, our boot licking goes back to at least the last world war, when Churchill took more than one visit across the Atlantic to flatter and befriend the Americans.

It worked to our advantage, to such an extent it won us the war.

Let’s hope the latest boot licking gives us some good trade/investment deals, and works once again to our advantage.

Keeping the enemies close?

Great pomp and circumstance that we do so well here today.
Charles is so much more relaxed and sociable than the late Queen at these kind of do’s.