The iconic Red Arrows will fly over Windsor Castle on Wednesday (September 17) to mark Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK.
It’s the first time a US leader has been invited for a second state visit, and there will be a number of other historic firsts as the president and his wife Melania are shown the best of British pageantry.
“The scale and spectacle of the military ceremonial is unprecedented”, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in the runup to Trump’s trip to Windsor.
“It is the largest military ceremonial welcome for a state visit to the UK in living memory.”
Donald Trump with King Charles (then the Prince of Wales) inspecting the Guard of Honour during his first state visit in 2019. (Alamy)
Trump will be honoured with the first ever joint UK-US military fly past and the largest guard of honour ever at a state visit.
His visit will also mark the first time the Beating Retreat – a military band ceremony with roots in the 17th century – has been performed at a state visit.
And, in a final nod to the president after he leaves the UK, a US military band will take part in Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace on Friday (19 September) for the first time in history.
While Trump’s state visit is being viewed as a diplomatic attempt to maintain and strengthen the so-called “special relationship” with the US, but thousands of people are expected to protest during his stay.
Trump, who was due to land in the UK on Tuesday evening, said it was a “great honour” to be the first US president to have two state visits and to be hosted at “the ultimate” Windsor Castle.
When will the Red Arrows flyover during Trump’s visit?
Right after the Beating Retreat, a flypast of both US and UK F-35 pilots, and the Red Arrows, will be carried out over Windsor Castle.
The MoD has said this binational display is a demonstration of the strength of the UK-US defence and security relationship.
The Red Arrows airborne at the Royal International Air Tattoo 2025. (Alamy)
On its website, the Red Arrows, who will take off from RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, have published a map of its route, along with the timings for different locations.
When and where to catch a glimpse of the Red Arrows
-
West of Martin, Lincolnshire – 4.20pm
-
North of Heckinton, Lincolnshire – 4.22pm
-
North of Newton, Lincolnshire – 4.25pm
-
Northwest of Armston, Northamptonshire – 4.30pm
-
South of Keyston, Cambridgeshire – 4.31pm
-
North of Fen Frayton, Cambridgeshire – 4.34pm
-
East of Nuthampstead, Hertfordshire – 4.37pm
-
South of Bayford, Hertfordshire – 4.40pm
-
Vicinity of the Brent Reservoir, London – 4.42pm
-
Vicinity of Hounslow Heath, London – 4.43pm
-
Vicinity of Heathrow, London – 4.44pm
-
Vicinity of Windsor Castle, Berkshire – 4.45pm
-
Vicinity of Clewer Village, Berkshire – 4.46pm
-
Northeast of Holmer Green, Buckinghamshire – 4.47pm
-
Southeast of Upper Wincherdon, Buckinghamshire – 4.49pm
-
Northeast of Belvoir, Leicestershire – 5pm
You can also track the Red Arrows live online using flight trackers recommended on the Red Arrows website.
What else is happening at Windsor during Trump’s visit?
Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will first be greeted by the Prince and Princess of Wales when they arrive at the castle grounds and taken to meet the King and Queen outside.
The King, whom the American leader hailed as a “friend” on the eve of the event, and Queen Camilla will greet him and the first lady with a ceremonial welcome.
As they shake hands, gun salutes will be fired simultaneously by the British Army in Windsor and at the Tower of London.
The largest guard of honour ever at a state visit will be presented to Trump for inspection, according to the Ministry of Defence.
Police officers patrol along streets lined with British and US flags outside Windsor Castle. (Alamy)
Some 1,300 members of the British military and 120 horses will be involved, with 160 personnel from the Royal Marines and Royal Navy, 1,000 from the British Army and 140 from the Royal Air Force.
Trump, whose taste for pomp is well known, will join the King for a carriage procession towards the castle, accompanied by the sovereign’s escort of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.
UK and US musicians will perform a special Beating Retreat military ceremony, the first time it will be performed at a state visit, with the spectacle concluding with the joint UK-US flypast.
Trump and his wife will then attend a lavish state banquet at the castle, featuring performances by the Duchess of Edinburgh’s String Orchestra, The State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry and pipers from The Scots Guards.
Where will Trump go next?
Trump will head to the prime minister’s country residence of Chequers on Thursday, with aviators from RAF Halton lining the route as he arrives.
He will also be treated to an air display by the British Army’s Red Devils Parachute Display Team and a performance by two RAF pipers at Chequers.
Read more
