President Trump receives royal treatment at Windsor Castle state visit: experts

Donald Trump’s stay at Windsor Castle during his state visit will be nothing but the best for the American president.

On Tuesday, President Trump and first lady Melania arrived in the U.K., where they were greeted by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. They spent the night at Windsor Castle, according to The Guardian.

While no public events were planned for the evening, the festivities are set to begin on Wednesday as the couple will be hosted by King Charles III. Ahead of the couple’s arrival, hundreds of staff worked through the halls and grounds of the nearly 1,000-year-old castle to ensure the monarch welcomed the couple in true royal fashion.

U.K. POLICE DEPLOY ‘COMPREHENSIVE’ DRONE OPERATION ACROSS WINDSOR CASTLE FOR TRUMP VISIT

U.S. President Donald Trump inspects an honor guard during a welcome ceremony at Buckingham Palace in central London on June 3, 2019. The British royal family is rolling out the red carpet for the Trumps during his second state visit. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

“They will stay in one of Windsor Castle’s grand guest suites reserved for heads of state,” British royals expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital. “Each suite has adjoining bedrooms for privacy.”

“Regarding tea, there is a specific Windsor Castle black tea known as the ‘Royal Blend’ that will be offered,” Fordwich said. “Their stay will include full military honor guards, three brass bands, and the highly anticipated banquet in St George’s Hall.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, married at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018, in Windsor, England. (Ben Stansall – WPA Pool/Getty Images)

“I like to think President Trump and first lady Melania Trump will sleep in the lavish State apartments,” British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital. “Paintings of kings, queens and lords of the Garter in ornate frames will join them as they sleep.”

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk to Marine One to depart from the White House to London on Sept. 16, 2025, in Washington D.C. (Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The castle is steeped in pomp, pageantry and history. William the Conqueror began building it in 1070 on high ground above the River Thames, near a hunting forest and a day’s march from the Tower of London, according to the royal family’s website. It has been inhabited and altered by monarchs for centuries.

The castle was expanded in the 1360s by Edward III, who created St. George’s Hall for his knights of the newly founded Order of the Garter. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were described as “devoted to Windsor” and spent much of their time there.

Queen Elizabeth II is joined by one of her dogs, a Dorgi called Candy, while staying at Windsor Castle on Feb. 4, 2022. England’s longest-reigning monarch died in Sept. of that year at age 96. (Steve Parsons-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

During World War II, Windsor Castle was home to a young Princess Elizabeth and her sister Princess Margaret. The late Queen Elizabeth II also used Windsor as her residence during the coronavirus pandemic, spending significant time there during her final years.

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A young Princess Elizabeth (standing) is seen here with her family on the grounds of Windsor Castle in 1931.  (Lisa Sheridan/Studio Lisa/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Ahead of his visit, Trump hailed the “great honor” of being hosted by his “friend” at “the ultimate” Windsor Castle for his second state visit, the U.K.’s Standard reported.

“My relationship is very good with the U.K., and Charles, as you know, who’s now king, is my friend,” Trump told reporters, quoted by the outlet. “It’s the first time this has ever happened where somebody was honored twice. So, it’s a great honor.”

An American flag is displayed outside Windsor Castle in advance of President Trump’s second state visit, viewed on Sept. 11, 2025, in Windsor, U.K.  (Mark Kerrison/In Pictures via Getty Images)

“And this one’s at Windsor,” said Trump, 79. “And I don’t want to say one’s better than the other, but they say Windsor Castle is the ultimate, right? So, it’s going to be nice.”

King Charles III is hosting President Trump at Windsor Castle. (Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

“Primarily it’s to be with Charles and Camilla,” he continued. “They’ve been friends of mine for a long time, long before he was king, and it’s an honor to have this king.”

After the welcoming ceremonies, the Trumps are set to view an exhibit of documents and artwork highlighting Britain’s special relationship with the U.S., according to The Associated Press.

Members of the Blues and Royals rehearse ahead of the state visit on Sept. 15, 2025, in Windsor. (Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images)

The true centerpiece of the state visit is the banquet in St. George’s Hall. The Waterloo Table, about half the length of a football field, can seat up to 160 guests. The Associated Press reported it takes five full days to set the table, which is laid with more than 4,000 pieces, including 200-year-old silver.

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A state banquet at Buckingham Palace. Royal watchers can expect all the pomp and pageantry during this year’s state dinner at Windsor Castle. (Fox Photos/Getty Images)

Men are expected to wear white ties and tailcoats, while women don designer gowns and jewels. Both the Princess of Wales and Queen Camilla are expected to wear tiaras.

Chef Darren McGrady, a royal chef for 15 years who cooked for five U.S. presidents, told Fox News Digital that guests can expect plenty of royal etiquette.

The royals at a state banquet for President of France Emmanuel Macron on July 8, 2025, in Windsor, England. (Aaron Chown – Pool/Getty Images)

“You wouldn’t have something like a banana, take it off the tray and peel it like a monkey,” he said. “You would … slice it into rings and eat it with a fork. If there are pears, you cut off the top and use a teaspoon.

Royal chef Darren McGrady’s fruit bowls for a state banquet are seen here in this undated photo. He cooked for five U.S. presidents, including both Bushes. (Chef Darren McGrady)

“Grapes are the best option because they’re already cut into small bunches. Pineapples may look whole on the table, but they’ve already been sliced. When you lift the top off, there will already be rings with the centers removed. And if things get messy, there are finger bowls with warm water to dip and clean your fingers.”

“I remember one state banquet where guests thought it was tradition to drink from the finger bowl,” he said. “Nobody said anything. It’s a state banquet, you just get on with it.”

Queen Elizabeth II is seen here at a state banquet with President Reagan at Windsor Castle in 1982. (Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

Fordwich said the menus are written in French, a tradition dating back to the 11th century.

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President Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II are seen here at a state banquet in Buckingham Palace on June 3, 2019, in London, England. (Dominic Lipinski- WPA Pool/Getty Images)

“This practice symbolizes sophistication,” she shared.

Fordwich also noted that this year’s food will be prepared by Head Royal Chef Mark Flanagan.

Queen Elizabeth with the Trumps during their state banquet in 2019. The festivities took place in London, U.K.  (Alastair Grant – WPA Pool/Getty Images)

“He is adept at tailoring menus for visiting guests,” Fordwich said. “Both British and American tastes will be considered. I am sure the entire menu will have an American twist to ensure the Trumps are content.”

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“In keeping with tradition, the menu won’t be revealed until tomorrow night,” she added. “It will include locally grown and sourced organic food, such as honey, herbs, fruits and vegetables from the gardens.”

Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine and author of “My Mother and I,” previously told Fox News Digital that royal watchers can expect the king, 76, to roll out the red carpet for the Trumps.

President Trump received an invitation from King Charles III for a second state visit on Feb. 27, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Carl Court – Pool/Getty Images)

“This particular state visit is very significant,” she said. “Everyone is calling it the ‘soft power’ of the monarchy. King Charles can’t do anything remotely political or even say anything remotely political because that’s our constitution. He’s head of state, and he’s monarch, but he doesn’t get involved in politics. … But this event strengthens the relationship between both nations, and it’s one everyone is looking forward to.”

President Donald Trump (right) walks with Britain’s former Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (left) as he arrives for a welcome ceremony at Buckingham Palace in central London on June 3, 2019. Charles was crowned king in 2023. (Toby Melville/ Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

“The royal family is especially looking forward to this,” Seward added.

Trump is the first U.S. president to be invited for two state visits by a British monarch. The late queen hosted him and Melania in 2019 during his first administration. William and Kate also took part in that visit.