Trump UK visit live: President hails ‘priceless and eternal’ US-British bond at lavish state banquet with King

Donald Trump meets prime minister Keir Starmer on Thursday in the centrepiece of the US president’s second state visit to Britain.

The two leaders are set to unveil a £150bn ($205bn) US investment package in the UK, spanning technology, energy and life sciences – a move both sides hope will reinvigorate the “special relationship.”

The day follows a glittering Wednesday programme of royal carriage rides and a state banquet with King Charles.

Today’s focus shifts to hard diplomacy and economic ties, with major announcements including a technology pact involving Microsoft, Nvidia, Google and OpenAI, worth £31bn ($42bn).

Later, Trump and Starmer will hold a joint press conference – a potential flashpoint, with questions expected on their links to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Starmer last week sacked Peter Mandelson as US ambassador over his connections to Epstein, while Trump’s own past ties have also drawn scrutiny.

Starmer, grappling with domestic challenges, will seek to project a positive international narrative and stress cooperation on global issues.

Trump, meanwhile, is keen to highlight the value of close ties with London as he tries to centre his state visit on global affairs rather than US politics.

The prime minister has accepted that hopes of securing further reductions on US steel and aluminium tariffs have faded, with officials playing down the likelihood of progress.

Instead, Starmer will point to Britain’s growing role as a magnet for US investment, particularly in financial services, technology and energy.

At Chequers today, top of his agenda is an appeal for the US president to step up pressure on Russia over its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

Prime minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce recognition of a Palestinian state this weekend, once Donald Trump concludes his state visit to Britain, according to The Times.

Starmer has previously said he would move on recognition ahead of the UN general assembly in New York this month if Israel failed to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. High-level meetings at the UN begin on 23 September.

The Labour leader is understood to have delayed any formal announcement until after Trump departs, to avoid the issue overshadowing their planned joint press conference at Chequers on Thursday.

Starmer first floated recognition in July under pressure from Labour MPs concerned about conditions in Gaza.

At the time, he made it clear the step was conditional – saying he would refrain if Israel committed to a ceasefire, a long-term two-state solution, and allowed aid to flow through the UN.

The move has already set Starmer at odds with Washington, which remains opposed to recognition. But other countries – including France, Australia and Canada – are preparing to take the same step at the UN gathering later this month.

President Donald Trump paid a glowing tribute to the UK–US relationship during a state banquet at Windsor Castle, declaring that the word “special does not begin to do it justice”.

The US leader praised the King as a “very, very special man” and singled out both the Prince and Princess of Wales for warm mentions.

Trump described the two nations as “two verses of the same poem… meant to be played together”, calling the alliance “priceless and eternal”.

“Today, however, we celebrate a relationship between our two countries that surely neither Washington nor King George III could possibly have imagined.

“The ocean may still divide us, but in so many ways we are now the closest of kin.”

The King, in turn, spoke of the “enduring bond” between the two nations, highlighting their transformation from historic enemies into “the closest of kin”, while also stressing his long-held concerns about the environment.

The lavish evening, attended by figures such as Rupert Murdoch and golf legend Sir Nick Faldo, capped a day of military pageantry and royal welcomes for Trump’s second state visit to Britain.

Outside, thousands marched in London in protest, some reviving the Trump baby blimp from 2019.

The Princess of Wales was hailed as “so radiant and so healthy and so beautiful” by Donald Trump as she glittered in gold at the state banquet.

Kate wore a couture creation by British designer Phillipa Lepley, with a striking full-length, champagne gold hand-embroidered Chantilly lace evening coat featuring a regal-looking high collar over a silk crepe gown.

Trump made a point of referencing the princess, who announced at the start of the year that she was in remission from cancer, in his banquet speech, describing her as “so radiant and so healthy and so beautiful”.

The princess sat next to the American leader at the banquet table and was seen smiling up at him as he delivered his speech.

Trump also praised the Prince of Wales, saying: “His Majesty has also raised a remarkable son in His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales. Really amazing.

“We’ve gotten to know you and I think you’re going to have an unbelievable success in future.”

He added: “Melania and I are delighted to visit again with Prince William and to see Her Royal Highness, Princess Catherine, so radiant and so healthy, and so beautiful. It’s really a great honour, thank you.”

Kate beamed as she stood and raised her glass to toast the president after he addressed the 160 guests in St George’s Hall.

Kate’s delicate coat featured hand-embroidered roses with couched gold cording, accented with French knots and satin-stitched blooms, demonstrating her commitment to supporting British craftsmanship and creativity.

Her earrings belonged to the late Queen and the princess opted for her go-to tiara the Lover’s Knot Tiara and wore her hair down and styled in waves.

Earlier in the day, Trump appeared to tell future queen, Kate, “You’re so beautiful, so beautiful” as she greeted him and the First Lady Melania Trump at Victoria House with the Prince of Wales at the start of the historic state visit.

Sir Keir Starmer is set to host Donald Trump at Chequers this afternoon as the US president continues his second state visit to Britain.

The two leaders will be accompanied by leading technology CEOs, who are expected to take part in announcements of new tech partnerships, a US official said.

The prime minister is seeking to spotlight a promised £150bn wave of American investment and a new UK–US “technology prosperity deal” focused on AI, even as questions swirl over what concessions Washington may expect in return.

Talks on reducing steel tariffs appear to have stalled.

Today’s joint press conference is shaping up as the most high-risk moment of the visit, with potential clashes on Middle East policy and questions about both governments’ links to Jeffrey Epstein.

Trump was guest of honour at a Windsor Castle banquet last night, attended by the King and leading US tech chiefs including Sam Altman, Tim Cook and Jensen Huang.

US President Donald Trump is set to meet with Sir Keir Starmer at Chequers on Thursday.

The pair will view the Sir Winston Churchill archives before holding a bilateral meeting. Afterward, they’re expected to hold a press conference.