Buckingham Palace Confirms Two Senior Royals Will Skip Trump’s State Visit — But He Won’t Be Too Upset
Buckingham Palace to roll out the red carpet for Donald and Melania Trump’s state visit this September. However, two senior working royals are set to miss the important event. The Palace has revealed that the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will be overseas when Donald and Melania arrive for their second state visit to the UK. While their absence, as per experts, may be seen as a 'setback', the US President likely won't be too unhappy.
Prince Edward and Sophie are scheduled to visit Papua New Guinea between September 14-17 to take part in the country’s 50th anniversary of independence from Australia. His itinerary includes a dawn flag-raising ceremony and a state dinner to mark the milestone, as per Marie Claire. Immediately afterward, Edward and Sophie will travel to Japan from September 18-22, where, according to the Palace, they will carry out engagements centered on “youth opportunity, sustainability and innovation, educating the next generation, and women in leadership.” The couple will also attend EXPO 2025 in Osaka, which is expected to be Japan’s largest international event of the year.
The timing means the Duke and Duchess will miss the Trumps’ official visit between September 17-19. However, Donald likely won't mind the absence. Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told The Mirror that the spotlight is likely to fall on Kate Middleton instead. “Catherine will be the icing on the cake for a man as vain as Donald Trump,” Bond said. “To be seen with her will be gold dust in his eyes.”
While the royal diary may look thin without Edward and Sophie, King Charles himself has a unique connection to the Trumps that is likely to add intrigue to the visit. For years, Charles has exchanged letters with Melania on shared interests such as architecture, gardens, and the arts. In her memoir, the First Lady revealed, “We kept in touch through letters, exchanging thoughts and ideas regularly.” Their unlikely correspondence is now set to move from paper to reality when the pair reunite at Windsor Castle during the state banquet.
This will mark the second time the Trumps have been extended an invitation to the UK — a rare honor for any U.S. president. But the prospect of his arrival has not been without concern inside the Palace. According to a civil servant who spoke to The Daily Beast, Charles is said to be 'very concerned' that Trump might use the occasion to launch an anti-immigration tirade. The King, as head of state, is constitutionally required to remain apolitical, and visitors are normally reminded in advance to avoid dragging him into political controversy.
“The trouble with Trump is, he doesn’t feel bound by the rules,” the civil servant explained. “Of course, he will make a speech and propose toasts at the banquet in his honor. Usually, these speeches are ceremonial diplomacy of the highest order and honor the relationship between the two nations. The one group of people Trump seems to respect is the British royal family, so we will just have to hope for the best.”