Donald Trump has received a rare invitation from King Charles for a second state visit to the United Kingdom. Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the invitation as “really special” and “unprecedented,” as no other elected U.S. president in modern history has been invited for two state visits.
During a press conference in the Oval Office at the White House, Starmer handed Trump a letter from King Charles. As reporters watched, Starmer said, “This is really special. This has never happened before. This is unprecedented. It is my pleasure to bring from His Majesty the King, a letter. He sends his best wishes and his regards, of course, but he also asked me to bear this letter and bring it to you. So can I present a letter from the King.”
Trump immediately accepted the invitation.
The letter from King Charles stated that the visit would be an opportunity to discuss important issues between the two countries. It also emphasized the significance of Trump being the first U.S. president to receive such an invitation. The letter read, “Quite apart from this presenting an opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues of mutual interest, it would also offer a valuable chance to plan a historic second state visit to the United Kingdom.
“As you will know, this is unprecedented by a U.S. President. That is why I would find it helpful for us to be able to discuss, together, a range of options for location and programme content. In so doing, working together, I know we will further enhance the special relationship between our two countries of which we are both so proud.” The letter was signed at the bottom, “Yours Most Sincerely, Charles.”
Starmer gave Trump the invitation during his first visit to Washington since Trump returned to the White House. His trip followed his recent announcement of an increase in UK defense spending. This move was seen as a signal to Trump that the UK is committed to strengthening Europe’s security. Starmer also hopes to work towards a fair peace deal for Ukraine, especially as Trump continues to improve relations with Russia.
Speaking at the White House, Trump said, “We’re going to be discussing many things today, we’re going to be discussing Russia/Ukraine, we’ll be discussing trade and lots of other items, and I think we can say we are going to be getting along on every one of them.
“We’ve had a tremendous relationship and, frankly, the Prime Minister and I have met twice before, and we get along very famously, as you would say, and I look forward to it very much.”